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Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who could breakout in 2022

By Brad Weiss

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 18: A Notre Dame Fighting Irish flag is seen before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 18, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 18: A Notre Dame Fighting Irish flag is seen before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 18, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who could breakout in 2022

Ryan Barnes, Cornerback

Finally, we turn our attention to the defensive backfield, a group that got a monster boost when Brandon Joseph transferred in from Northwestern. An All-American for the Wildcats, Joseph is going to replace Kyle Hamilton in this starting lineup, but the breakout player in the secondary is likely going to come from the cornerback spot.

That player could end up being Ryan Barnes, a 2021 recruit who has the length, and athleticism to be a shutdown cornerback at the collegiate level. He did not get much playing time last season, but that is likely to change in 2022, as he learned a ton playing behind Cam Hart in 2021, and is in line to be the third or fourth cornerback on this depth chart this upcoming season.

The Irish should be very tough in the secondary in 2022, as Hart is a potential Day 2 draft pick, and Joseph could be one of the best safeties in the country this season. However, if Clarence Lewis struggles, or Tariq Bracy cannot get the job done, I like Barnes to be the next man up, whether it is on the outside or in the slot.

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