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Any team striving to win a national title needs some level of star power. Earlier this week, we broke down the potential on offense for several stars to emerge. The conversation is slightly different on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash returns the best cornerback and one of the best overall defenders in the country in Unanimous All-American cornerback Leonard Moore.
The question is, who joins him? There are several viable candidates on defense who are on the verge of becoming stars. Several of the candidates are returning starters with multiple years of starting experience while other players are stepping into much larger roles this season. Point being, there's a lot of star power potential on both sides of the ball, but the defense has several players who are on the brink of national stardom and it starts with a returning captain and their middle linebacker.
Drayk Bowen - Linebacker
Bowen is the heart and soul of the Notre Dame defense. He's now entering year two of the Ash system and once he found his footing last year, it turned into a game-changer. His overall production and impact on the field ramped up in the final six games of the regular season. The majority of his tackles for a loss and disruptive plays on the quarterback came from USC to the end of the season against Stanford. Bowen will likely be a returning captain in 2026 and will look to end his Fighting Irish career on a high note.
Brauntae Johnson - Safety
The Fort Wayne native had a major breakout in 2025 which led to him being named as a FWAA Freshman All-American. Johnson ended his redshirt freshman campaign with 48 total tackles, three passes defended and four interceptions which was No. 2 overall on defense and that was without playing the final two games and only playing nine snaps in their first outing against Miami. This year, he returns as one of the best safeties in the country and will be one of the key defenders on the back end of Notre Dame's defense. If he's able to remain healthy and become a more consistent player, Johnson will become a national star in 2026.
Adon Shuler - Safety
One of the more unsung defenders on Notre Dame's stout defense is Shuler. He's walking into his third year in the starting lineup and will likely be named a captain in 2026 like he was in 2025. Shuler has been one of the most productive defensive players for the Irish the past two seasons. But is there another level he can get to? I believe there is, which was pave the way for him becoming a national star. The New Jersey native is one of the most experienced players on the Fighting Irish defense. This season, Shuler has the opportunity to become a star player.
Boubacar Traore - Defensive End
Every national title contender needs a premier edge rusher on defense; Traore brings that to the 2026 lineup. He had a breakout last season, his first year back from his ACL tear in the middle of the 2024 regular season. Traore finished the season as Notre Dame's leader in tackles for a loss, sacks and total pressures. As the season progressed, you started to see the effects of only being a year removed from a significant injury. This year, he'll be two years removed from his ACL tear and will look to vault himself into national stardom. He has all the physical tools to become a star, and the Irish will need him to.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - Linebacker
The only reason Viliamu-Asa is not higher on this list is because of the knee injury he's returning from. He has an argument to be next to Moore in the 'star' conversation. There's no doubt that, when he's on the field, he's a stud and on the verge of becoming a national star. Despite coming off of an ACL tear in November, multiple outlets have named him a Preseason All-American and one of the top linebackers returning to college football in 2026. If the California native is able to stay healthy and get back to being 100% by the middle of October, his breakout to becoming a national star will be inevitable.
Bryce Young - Defensive End
His breakout would be monumental for the Fighting Irish defense. In 92 less pass rushing snaps than Traore, Young only had two less pressures. He has a ways to go before he's deemed a star for the Notre Dame defense but the 6-6, 260-pound edge rusher has all the physical tools to become a star this fall.
Christian Gray - Nickel Cornerback
Gray has been one of the more intriguing players to follow at Notre Dame the last couple of seasons. Unfortunately, a portion of the fan base only wants to focus on the negative plays. The St. Louis native has been one of Notre Dame's most impactful defenders the last two seasons, but he has to find a higher level of consistency. If he finds that groove, Gray will be the finishing touches on the best secondary in college football.
Someone At Defensive Tackle ....
The interior of Notre Dame's defensive line is loaded with talent and potential. When you look at the roster and see guys like Jason Onye, Armel Mukam, Tionne Gray, Francis Brewu, Elijah Hughes, Cole Mullins and Christopher Burgess, odds are that someone will breakout. What we get to sit back and enjoy this season is the 'who' and there's a chance it could be multiple players.
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The question is, who joins him? There are several viable candidates on defense who are on the verge of becoming stars. Several of the candidates are returning starters with multiple years of starting experience while other players are stepping into much larger roles this season. Point being, there's a lot of star power potential on both sides of the ball, but the defense has several players who are on the brink of national stardom and it starts with a returning captain and their middle linebacker.
Drayk Bowen - Linebacker
Bowen is the heart and soul of the Notre Dame defense. He's now entering year two of the Ash system and once he found his footing last year, it turned into a game-changer. His overall production and impact on the field ramped up in the final six games of the regular season. The majority of his tackles for a loss and disruptive plays on the quarterback came from USC to the end of the season against Stanford. Bowen will likely be a returning captain in 2026 and will look to end his Fighting Irish career on a high note.
Brauntae Johnson - Safety
The Fort Wayne native had a major breakout in 2025 which led to him being named as a FWAA Freshman All-American. Johnson ended his redshirt freshman campaign with 48 total tackles, three passes defended and four interceptions which was No. 2 overall on defense and that was without playing the final two games and only playing nine snaps in their first outing against Miami. This year, he returns as one of the best safeties in the country and will be one of the key defenders on the back end of Notre Dame's defense. If he's able to remain healthy and become a more consistent player, Johnson will become a national star in 2026.
Adon Shuler - Safety
One of the more unsung defenders on Notre Dame's stout defense is Shuler. He's walking into his third year in the starting lineup and will likely be named a captain in 2026 like he was in 2025. Shuler has been one of the most productive defensive players for the Irish the past two seasons. But is there another level he can get to? I believe there is, which was pave the way for him becoming a national star. The New Jersey native is one of the most experienced players on the Fighting Irish defense. This season, Shuler has the opportunity to become a star player.
Boubacar Traore - Defensive End
Every national title contender needs a premier edge rusher on defense; Traore brings that to the 2026 lineup. He had a breakout last season, his first year back from his ACL tear in the middle of the 2024 regular season. Traore finished the season as Notre Dame's leader in tackles for a loss, sacks and total pressures. As the season progressed, you started to see the effects of only being a year removed from a significant injury. This year, he'll be two years removed from his ACL tear and will look to vault himself into national stardom. He has all the physical tools to become a star, and the Irish will need him to.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - Linebacker
The only reason Viliamu-Asa is not higher on this list is because of the knee injury he's returning from. He has an argument to be next to Moore in the 'star' conversation. There's no doubt that, when he's on the field, he's a stud and on the verge of becoming a national star. Despite coming off of an ACL tear in November, multiple outlets have named him a Preseason All-American and one of the top linebackers returning to college football in 2026. If the California native is able to stay healthy and get back to being 100% by the middle of October, his breakout to becoming a national star will be inevitable.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON ....
Bryce Young - Defensive End
His breakout would be monumental for the Fighting Irish defense. In 92 less pass rushing snaps than Traore, Young only had two less pressures. He has a ways to go before he's deemed a star for the Notre Dame defense but the 6-6, 260-pound edge rusher has all the physical tools to become a star this fall.
Christian Gray - Nickel Cornerback
Gray has been one of the more intriguing players to follow at Notre Dame the last couple of seasons. Unfortunately, a portion of the fan base only wants to focus on the negative plays. The St. Louis native has been one of Notre Dame's most impactful defenders the last two seasons, but he has to find a higher level of consistency. If he finds that groove, Gray will be the finishing touches on the best secondary in college football.
Someone At Defensive Tackle ....
The interior of Notre Dame's defensive line is loaded with talent and potential. When you look at the roster and see guys like Jason Onye, Armel Mukam, Tionne Gray, Francis Brewu, Elijah Hughes, Cole Mullins and Christopher Burgess, odds are that someone will breakout. What we get to sit back and enjoy this season is the 'who' and there's a chance it could be multiple players.
------
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
BECOME A MEMBER
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
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Continue reading...
