Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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assuredness come to the surface in all three of them during the offseason, especially Russell who was just arriving on campus at this point a year ago. "He knows the position very well. His technique has improved immensely. He's stronger physically and just [has] a lot more confidence," the coach said. "All that comes with being a returning starter." Russell recorded 58 tackles (fifth on the team) and two interceptions while starting all 13 games last year. His development was not just impressive because of what he did, but more so for whom he did it against. The rookie lined up across from the likes of BYU's Cody Hoffman, Oklahoma's Kenny Still and Jalen Saunders, and Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee from USC. He helped hold that group to a combined total of one touchdown. His résumé is strong enough to hold off senior Lo Wood in a battle for the starting field cornerback spot. Wood was expected to start opposite Jackson in 2012 before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his season less than two weeks before the opening game. Wood practiced with the team during the spring and returned to full health in the early summer. He will be part of the defensive backfield rotation — a luxury the Irish didn't have in 2012 — but Kelly left no doubt about Russell's starting job during fall camp. Still, the sophomore said he treats every day like a competition between Wood and himself. He described the battle as "neck and neck," and Jackson agreed. "I'm happy they're competing at close to a similar level," Jackson said. "I just want them to push each other so they make each other better. Them pushing each other will push me and it will bring guys up from below." The senior, like Wood, is also returning from an injury that nagged him throughout the 2012 season. Jackson had surgery in January to fix his shoulder. He said he felt close to 100 percent in early June and spent the summer getting bigger. He played at 183 pounds a year ago and is listed at 195 this season. Simple changes, like eating breakfast every morning, helped Jackson bulk up and add a level of strength he hasn't had in the past. If Jackson is to make good on his claim that this defense can be better than it was a year ago despite losing three NFL Draft picks and the most decorated linebacker in the history of the sport, he and the secondary will need to be a big part of that puzzle. He doesn't think that will be an issue. "In my head, I think I'm the best player on the field at all times," he said. "I think I'm better than the receiver across from me. You go out every day and you train to be the greatest in general. I believe I have the potential to be one of the best cornerbacks in the nation." Safety Depth Gets Early Test The long list of safeties vying for playing time got a little bit shorter after Notre Dame's first week of practice in August when the Irish lost sophomore Nicky Baratti to a dislocated shoulder. Baratti had surgery, his second on the same shoulder in 2013, a week later and will miss the entire 2013 season.