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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 29: DJ McKinney #8 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs after an interception and before scoring a fourth quarter touchdown on a pick six against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field on November 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We live in a college football world of lists, rankings, and countdowns. Many players on Notre Dame’s roster have been talked about and written about over the last few months — so let’s fall in line.
This will be my official Top 20 Notre Dame Football Players ranking. I will unveil each player, and list the three things I like about them. It seems simple enough, but I have no doubt that some of these ratings will be highly criticized, but you can always share your thoughts in the comments below.
#2 DJ McKinney CB
He wants to be here
Perhaps it should go without saying, and it’s something I could say about every player that transfers to Notre Dame, but… I love it when guys REALLY want to be here. Those players are hungry and are ready to buy into what the program is building (not just selling). McKinney had a lot of options once he hit the portal, but he saw the opportunity in South Bend, and is here to make it work for him.
He knows how to play opposite of a star
It’s pretty wild that McKinney will be able to say that in college, he played opposite of both Travis Hunter and Leonard Moore. There’s a lot of pressure on the cornerback opposite of the THE star. Offensive gameplays and quarterback tendencies will direct a lot of the workflow to the “other” corner — and DJ did a really nice job of complimenting Hunter at Colorado.
It’s just an incredible upgrade
This is not a knock on Christian Gray — in fact it is FAR from it. The addition of McKinney, in my opinion, allows for the move to nickel for Christian Gray (a position I think suits him even better than CB). Sometimes it really just is finding your best 11 and putting them on the field, and in Notre Dame’s base defense which is more of a nickel base, this alignment sets the Irish up for continued defensive success.
TOP 20 COUNTDOWN
#20 DT Francis Brewu
#19 LB Jaylen Sneed
#18 LB Jaiden Ausberry
#17 WR Mylan Graham
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