Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 APRIL 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY PATRICK ENGEL T he 12-month transformation of Notre Dame's corner- backs started at one extreme and ended at the other. That unit felt like the Irish's shakiest position after the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day 2022. One year later, though, it enters 2023 spring practice with a compelling case as the team's best defensive group. Finding an overnight freshman star has a way of sparking such shifts. Benjamin Morrison, a year after snagging 6 interceptions in his first sea - son, will likely appear on most preseason All- America teams this summer. He returns as one of the best corners in the FBS. Not to be overlooked, though, is Cam Hart's return for a graduate sea- son. The Irish have a potential All-American at one corner and a three-year starter at the other. That kind of returning skill helps offset the loss of nickel back TaRiq Bracy, who authored a fifth- year breakout last fall. The Irish are also hoping for a sophomore jump from Jaden Mickey after an up-and-down first season as a rotation player. Senior Clarence Lewis, he of 21 ca- reer starts, has played inside and outside. Oklahoma State transfer Thomas Harper, a safety by designation, has extensive experience in the slot and is expected to help fill Bracy's spot. All told, there's star power at the top and depth below it — the recipe for a high-end unit. Safety, meanwhile, is less proven and in need of some more play- makers. Notre Dame's safeties combined for just 7 passes defended in 2022. Brandon Joseph, the best pro prospect of the group, de- clared for the NFL Draft. The returning group is not devoid of upside, though. Senior Xavier Watts started the final four games of the season and looks like the best bet to become a steady playmaker. Watts' 3 passes broken up accounted for nearly half of those 7 passes defended. 2023 SPRING FOOTBALL OVERVIEW PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER D EF EN SIV E BAC K S PERSONNEL UPDATE Position Coach: Mike Mickens (cornerbacks, fourth season) and Chris O'Leary (safeties, third season) Returning Starters: Gr. CB Cam Hart (29 career starts), So. CB Benjamin Morrison (9) and Gr. S DJ Brown (11) Departing Starters: CB TaRiq Bracy (22) and S Brandon Joseph (10) Projected New Starters: Sr. S Xavier Watts (4) and Gr. S/ CB Thomas Harper (8, at Oklahoma State) Top Reserves: Sr. CB Clarence Lewis (21), So. CB Jaden Mickey and Sr. S Ramon Henderson Newcomers: Harper, Fr. CB Christian Gray, Fr. CB Micah Bell, Fr. S Adon Shuler, Fr. S Ben Minich and Fr. S Brandyn Hillman ALL EYES ON … SENIOR XAVIER WATTS Watts' chance to start came in November when Brandon Joseph missed two games with an ankle injury. He kept a starting spot, though, when Joseph returned. The converted wide receiver looks comfortable covering one-on-one and coming up to tackle runners in the open field. He's the breakout candidate to watch and enters spring as a favorite to start. POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH SAFETY Xavier Watts will be difficult to beat out at one safety spot. Notre Dame could go several ways at the other. Ramon Henderson is the most intriguing possibility. DJ Brown was the team's co-leader in intercep- tions in 2021 and has played 1,257 defensive snaps. Harper might be asked to help at slot corner but should also be part of the safety mix. NUMBERS TO KNOW 2 Straight seasons where Cam Hart has limited opponents to a catch rate of 50 percent or lower. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 54 of 110 passes (49.1 percent) thrown at Hart since the start of 2021. 10 Passes defended in 2022 for Benjamin Morrison, the first Irish defensive back since 2019 to hit double digits. 29.2 Opponent passer rating when targeting Morrison in coverage last year, second among Power Five quarterbacks. Classmate Ramon Henderson's length and range stood out in a four-start sample in 2021, but he didn't parlay that into a 2022 starting job. DJ Brown returned for a sixth season and provides some veteran depth, but that won't lock him into starter status. The ideal outcome for finding more playmaking feels like Henderson taking a leap and Watts continuing his surge. BENJAMIN MORRISON