Because Notre Dame and BYU have played only once since 2013, the two programs don’t know each other well. However, the Fighting Irish have a secret weapon in defensive back DJ McKinney.
Thanks to his journey through the Transfer Portal, McKinney has faced the Cougars three straight years. Saturday will be his fourth consecutive season, so he should be able to give his Fighting Irish teammates intel they can’t get simply from watching film.
“He's never been to BYU, but playing against the scheme, it's something that I'm sure he might have some insight, and he could offer any insight he has to the coaches,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Monday, during his weekly press conference. “And I'm sure we'll ask him. I'm going to ask him about it now since you brought that up.”
McKinney’s first showdown with BYU came in 2023 when he was a defensive back with Oklahoma State. Back there and back then, he wasn’t a starter, but he saw extensive action in the Cowboys’ 40-34 win. In all, McKinney played 24 defensive snaps, was targeted three times, and played ok, but also allowed a 50-yard completion from quarterback Jake Retzlaff to Keanu Hill.
DJ McKinney offers Notre Dame football unique insight on BYU and Bear Bachmeier
In 2024, McKinney was with the Colorado Buffaloes, and while BYU won big, 36-14, it wasn’t because of the defensive back who started opposite Travis Hunter. McKinney started and played 65 defensive snaps. He was targeted only three times, and the Cougars' only completion was a 14-yard pass. He also intercepted a pass and returned it for 25 yards, even though it was far too little and far too late.
McKinney played three different quarterbacks against BYU over three years, which would normally limit his feedback on how to play against the BYU offense. Still, he’s faced off against Bear Bachmeier as well.
Last year, McKinney’s Buffaloes were defeated again, 24-21, but that wasn’t because of Notre Dame’s secret weapon. McKinney was targeted three times again, and this time he allowed just 8 yards. Meanwhile, Bachmeier had a very nice game, completing 19 of 27 passes for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. He showed his ability to hurt opponents in multiple ways, running 15 times for 98 yards.
With BYU missing its best running back, Bachmeier will likely carry the Cougars’ offense more than usual.
For his part, McKinney said he has talked to his teammates often. While he clearly isn’t willing to share everything he’s learned about BYU’s offense with the media, he said one overarching theme emerged in taking on the Big 12 juggernaut.
“Just prepare,” said McKinney, listed at 6-1 and 190 pounds. “Our coaches, they had us ready and prepared for that, and I feel like the same is going to happen this year with Notre Dame.”
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