Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, No. 20-16

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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – MAY 01: Joe Wilkins Jr. #18 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches the football in the first half against Cam Hart #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame Stadium on May 01, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, No. 20-16

No. 19: Cam Hart, Cornerback

High: 16, Low: 24

Cam Hart enters his junior season as the projected starter at the boundary cornerback position. Hart was originally recruited as wide receiver but moved to cornerback before the end of his freshman season, and he saw action last year in reserve duty.

As a backup, he made two tackles and broke up two passes.

The junior from Baltimore, Maryland took a major step forward this spring when he appeared to take the boundary position by storm, and in 2021, he will start opposite of sophomore Clarence Lewis.

A shift in defensive coordinator from Clark Lea to Marcus Freeman helped Hart climb to the top. Freeman is much more aggressive on the edge, frequently pressing wide receivers, and at 6-foot-2.5 inches and 207 lbs., he has the size and length needed to be physical upfront.

Hart’s ability to hold down the boundary position could influence the depth of the cornerback group. If he is a top-20 player, Tariq Bracy can play nickel back and back up Lewis at the field position. If he cannot hold down the spot, Notre Dame might be left with two very small players for a cornerback spot that demands a bigger body.

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