The Fighting Irish defense overcame injury after injury, and it didn't matter. It finished the year seventh in the nation overall, allowed just 16.5 points per game, and allowed fewer than 17 points in 12 of the first 14 games.There shouldn't be too much of a change under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. The former Rutgers head coach bounced around for the NFL for a few seasons, handled the defenses for Ohio State and Texas, and now he should do wonders with this D.The star power isn't there quite yet compared to last year, but the Irish are loaded with talent and depth.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview 2025: Defense
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 Notre Dame PreviewNotre Dame Offense Breakdown Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season- The secondary overcame a ton of adversity to scratch and claw its way through the season. Now it has to replace heart-and-soul playmaker Xavier Watts, who's off to the Atlanta Falcons. This group is still loaded.Corner Leonard Moore is the new star of the show. He was tested time and again, and he came through with 48 tackles with two picks and 11 tackles for loss.
Christian Gray returns to his spot on the other side after intercepting three passes - his 99-yard pick-six against USC was one of the season's defining moments - with 35 tackles.There's no one like Watts at safety, but Adon Shuler was a force, finishing fourth on the team with 59 tackles with three picks. Luke Talich will take on a bigger role - he had a big interception for a score in the blowout over Florida State - and on the way is DeVonta Smith (Alabama), a top talent with all of the tools.
- Leading tackler Jack Kiser is now a Jacksonville Jaguar, and now it's Jaylen Sneed's job on the weakside. A terrific athlete who saw his share of time in the linebacking corps, he made 51 tackles with 2.5 sacks and six tackles for loss.Back in the middle is Drayk Bowen, a big thumper who made 78 stops, and Jaiden Ausberry goes from being a part of the outside rotation to the main Rover who'll get behind the line, making 58 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss.
- The good and the bad for the line, there were just enough injuries and changes to get a slew of parts time to be ready for this year. Stars Rylie Mills and Howard Cross are done, but the interior has more size with 322-pound Gabriel Rubio now playing a bigger role on the nose. Jason Onye is a 300-pounder who'll get a starting nod at one tackle,Donovan Hinish could get a little starting work after finishing second on the team with 4.5sacks. Jared Dawson (Louisville) is a decent veteran to fill in on the nose, going into his sixth season.
The end rotation should be terrific around Joshua Burnham returning to his gig at one spot, and with Boubacar Traore back after missing the season with a torn ACL. Bryce Young got into the rotation and made 23 tackles with a few plays behind the line, and Junior Tuihalamaka made plenty of noise with 33 tackles and three sacks. Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season2025 Notre Dame PreviewNotre Dame Offense Breakdown
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