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At the end of the 2024 season, Notre Dame's pass defense ranked No.4 in passing yards allowed per game, No. 5 in interceptions and No. 1 in completion percentage allowed. Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens will have three of his five starters returning in the secondary with safety Xavier Watts and nickel corner Jordan Clark both headed off to the NFL Draft. Remaining is rising sophomore corner Leonard Moore and a pair of classmates from the 2023 recruiting class safety Adon Shuler and cornerback Christian Gray.
Gray and Shuler finished second and third on the defense in snaps played and combined to play 1,564 snaps last season. They combined for six interceptions and both recorded pick sixes a season ago. Head coach Marcus Freeman certainly brought in some high caliber talent in the secondary in his first full recruiting class at the helm.
For the entire season, Shuler played alongside Watts gaining invaluable in-game on the field experience, something that will likely translate to the 2025 season. Shuler burst onto the scene last offseason and claimed a starting spot from transfer Rod Heard. From there, Shuler took off into the player we know him for today. Last season, he finished with 59 tackles, five passes defended, three interceptions and one forced fumble against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
This season, Shuler takes over as the leader in the safety room and is linking arms with linebacker Drayk Bowen as one of the overall leaders of the defense. Replacing a guy like Watts won't be easy, as he's one of the most decorated defensive backs in Notre Dame history. However, having a player like Shuler remaining on the back end of the defense will put your mind at ease, to a degree.
Gray is the most experienced corner returning to the roster in 2025 despite Moore gaining the majority of the media attention, rightfully so after his stellar freshman season performance. Gray played in 15 games last season and only missed the Louisville game at home. For most of the season, Gray played extremely well, but a few rough moments against USC and Ohio State leave some questionably dissatisfied with his performance last season as a whole.
Despite a few rough patches, Gray finished the season with 35 tackles, nine passes defended and three interceptions including a 99 yard pick six against rival USC in the final regular season game of the year. In a game where he was picked on most of the afternoon, Gray's interception, returned for a touchdown, ultimately put the game away and sealed Notre Dame's home bid for a playoff game. This season, he returns alongside Moore to complete, what I believe to be, the best cornerback duo in the country.
Ohio native Ben Minich was also a member of the 2023 class. Last season, he spent working with the safeties, but has since converted to playing nickel corner behind Alabama transfer DeVonta Smith. This spring, Minich looked extremely comfortable at his new position and came away with an interception in the spring game on wide receiver Logan Saldate. Minich has the opportunity to be a key rotational piece down the stretch if he can continue to improve at nickel.
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Gray and Shuler finished second and third on the defense in snaps played and combined to play 1,564 snaps last season. They combined for six interceptions and both recorded pick sixes a season ago. Head coach Marcus Freeman certainly brought in some high caliber talent in the secondary in his first full recruiting class at the helm.
For the entire season, Shuler played alongside Watts gaining invaluable in-game on the field experience, something that will likely translate to the 2025 season. Shuler burst onto the scene last offseason and claimed a starting spot from transfer Rod Heard. From there, Shuler took off into the player we know him for today. Last season, he finished with 59 tackles, five passes defended, three interceptions and one forced fumble against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
This season, Shuler takes over as the leader in the safety room and is linking arms with linebacker Drayk Bowen as one of the overall leaders of the defense. Replacing a guy like Watts won't be easy, as he's one of the most decorated defensive backs in Notre Dame history. However, having a player like Shuler remaining on the back end of the defense will put your mind at ease, to a degree.
Gray is the most experienced corner returning to the roster in 2025 despite Moore gaining the majority of the media attention, rightfully so after his stellar freshman season performance. Gray played in 15 games last season and only missed the Louisville game at home. For most of the season, Gray played extremely well, but a few rough moments against USC and Ohio State leave some questionably dissatisfied with his performance last season as a whole.
Despite a few rough patches, Gray finished the season with 35 tackles, nine passes defended and three interceptions including a 99 yard pick six against rival USC in the final regular season game of the year. In a game where he was picked on most of the afternoon, Gray's interception, returned for a touchdown, ultimately put the game away and sealed Notre Dame's home bid for a playoff game. This season, he returns alongside Moore to complete, what I believe to be, the best cornerback duo in the country.
Ohio native Ben Minich was also a member of the 2023 class. Last season, he spent working with the safeties, but has since converted to playing nickel corner behind Alabama transfer DeVonta Smith. This spring, Minich looked extremely comfortable at his new position and came away with an interception in the spring game on wide receiver Logan Saldate. Minich has the opportunity to be a key rotational piece down the stretch if he can continue to improve at nickel.
Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge
Irish Breakdown Content
2025 Depth Chart
2025 Football Schedule
Notre Dame 2026 Scholarship Offers
2025 Commit Rankings - Offense
2025 Commit Rankings - Defense
2024 Recruiting Class
2023 Recruiting Class
2022 Recruiting Class
———————
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.
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Join the Irish Breakdown community!
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