Notre Dame made some sudden shake-ups to the depth chart released on Monday afternoon ahead of their important game against Arkansas.
Mainly, it appears Coach Marcus Freeman has made changes to the defensive personnel, which aligns with what some fans have been calling for over the last few weeks.
Arkansas features a high-scoring offense and a Heisman hopeful quarterback, so any changes to the defense are going to be thrown into the fire right away.
Hopefully, the apparent youth movement at Notre Dame is ready for the challenge.
Dallas Golden gets his shot at nickel
One of the first things Irish fans will notice in the depth chart is freshman Dallas Golden getting the backup spot at nickel corner behind transfer Devonta Smith from Alabama. Unfortunately for the Irish, Smith has battled injuries all season already, missing both the Texas A&M game and the Purdue game.
His replacement, Karson Hobbs, has struggled mightily in game action. Hobbs was in coverage for the Malachi Toney touchdown against Miami, as well as responsible for covering Mario Craver against Texas A&M, who went for over 200 yards in that game.
Against Purdue, Golden got the start instead, and although far from perfect, he was a better fit for the Irish in that spot, recording an interception late in the game. Hobbs has been demoted to third-string corner behind Leonard Moore and Chance Tucker on the outside.
Tae Johnson gets the start at safety for Notre Dame football
Additionally, freshman Tae Johnson will get the start at safety this week over Luke Talich and Jalen Stroman. Stroman has flashed his ability as a run stopper so far this year, totaling 15 tackles, but has struggled in coverage. He was responsible for the coverage bust on the 86-yard Craver touchdown against Texas A&M, as an example.
Johnson came to the Irish as a highly touted recruit and has shown flashes this year of his ability. He returned a punt for a touchdown in that Texas A&M game and has nine tackles on the season.
Most importantly, coaches love his range in the deep middle part of the field, allowing Adon Shuler to get back to his downhill style as opposed to dropping deep in coverage.
The Irish will need the talented freshman to step up this week as they look to fix their coverage assignments against Arkansas.
Shuffling continues following Notre Dame's defensive struggles
Elsewhere around the defense, Jared Dawson looks to be back this week after being banged up against Purdue, according to Coach Freeman, and will rotate in as the backup defensive tackle to Donovan Hinish.
Bryce Young remains as the starting defensive end with Josh Burnham and Loghan Thomas on his heels. Young recorded his first sack last week.
Jalen Sneed and Drayk Bowen remain the starting linebackers, with both Jaiden Ausberry and Madden Faraimo behind Sneed and Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa behind Bowen. All five Notre Dame linebackers should continue to see the field this week.