Luke Talich Week 5 PFF honor underlines Notre Dame's transformation into 'Safety U'

Notre Dame believes it has a claim to the title of "Tight End U" but the school might have an argument that safety is really where the school is most respected.

"Safety U" isn't really a term that people throw around with the same regularity they do as Tight End U or "Running Back U," or even "Quarterback U." However, recent history shows that the Irish should start making a push for the term to be a part of the regular English lexicon considering how much talent the program has had and has at that position over the last few years.

Luke Talich hammered home the idea of "Safety U" this past weekend against North Carolina, returning from a one-game hiatus due to injury to record three tackles and a first-quarter interception. His performance earned him the top grade among all safeties in Week 5, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Talich scored an 89.5 overall grade from PFF. In Week 5, it tied him for the best grade at his position in the country and was easily the best among Notre Dame defenders. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was the Irish's second-highest-rated defensive player, with an 80.3 overall grade. Talich tied him with Northwestern's Robert Fitzgerald and Air Force's Max Mustell.

His performance in Week 5 was hardly the first time he's played well in 2026. Among Safeties with at least 100 snaps this season, he ranks third in the country with an 89.7 overall PFF rating. Talich sits behind only Baylor's Micah Gifford (90.3) and LSU's Tamarcus Cooley (90.1).

Luke Talich leads an army of Notre Dame safeties impressing everywhere they go

Talich by himself, obviously doesn't make Notre Dame, Safety U. After all, he wouldn't even be the starter if it weren't for Brauntae Johnson getting hurt in the first game of the season. Of course, that's entirely the point.

Johnson entered the 2026 season drawing plenty of praise, that even had some analysts believing he might be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft if he declared for the pros this winter. Johnson replaced Xavier Watts, who continues to look like the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft after a fantastic rookie season last year and a great start to this season.

Then there's Kyle Hamilton, the Baltimore Ravens safety who played for Notre Dame from 2019 to 2021. Throw in Julian Love who was in South Bend from 2016 to 2018 and has established himself as another one of the best players in the NFL at his position.

Back at Notre Dame, Talich and Johnson aren't even the only safeties getting national recognition. Adon Shuler mans the strong safety position and has also drawn plenty of attention as a guy offenses have to avoid.

Then, of course, there's the guy who stepped in for the injured Johnson and Talich in Week 4. True freshman Joey O'Brien got his first start for the Fighting Irish against Purdue and recorded 5 tackles and a sack.

Past safeties that have come through Notre Dame are plenty impressive. The current guys manning the position and the future of that spot in the lineup should have everyone excited. It's hard to think of another school that could challenge for the title of Safety U.

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