This Notre Dame football group has all the makings to be the best

Tight end Jack Larsen (85) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Luke Talich (28) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Running back Nolan James Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Wide receiver Elijah Burress (17) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Jayden Sanders (12) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Joey O'Brien during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Wide receiver Kayden Finley during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Francis Brewu (7) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Kahanu Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Joe Reiff during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Elijah Golden during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Cole Mullins during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Davion Dixon during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman C. Burgess Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Elijah Hughes during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Luke Talich during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Ethan Long during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Rodney Dunham during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Elijah Golden during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebackers run a drill during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Ko'o Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Teddy Rezac during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Thomas Davis Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Davion Dixon during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Drayk Bowen during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Jaiden Ausberry during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Madden Faraimo during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Linebacker Ko'o Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin, center, during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Ethan Long during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Mark Zackery IV during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Head coach Marcus Freeman, right, speaks to a group of players during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive back Christian Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

Defensive lineman Armel Mukam during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray, center, warms up before a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray, center, warms up before a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Joey O'Brien during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Armel Mukam during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Francis Brewu during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Tight end Jack Larsen (85) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Luke Talich (28) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Running back Nolan James Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Wide receiver Elijah Burress (17) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Jayden Sanders (12) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Joey O'Brien during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Wide receiver Kayden Finley during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Francis Brewu (7) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Kahanu Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Joe Reiff during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Elijah Golden during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Cole Mullins during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Davion Dixon during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman C. Burgess Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Elijah Hughes during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Luke Talich during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Ethan Long during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Rodney Dunham during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Elijah Golden during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive tackle Tionne Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebackers run a drill during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Ko'o Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Teddy Rezac during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Thomas Davis Jr. during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Davion Dixon during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Drayk Bowen during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Jaiden Ausberry during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Madden Faraimo during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Linebacker Ko'o Kia during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Safeties coach Jevaughn Codlin, center, during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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Defensive back Ethan Long during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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Defensive back Mark Zackery IV during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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Head coach Marcus Freeman, right, speaks to a group of players during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive back Christian Gray during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

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See photos from Notre Dame football April 8 practice

Defensive lineman Armel Mukam during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in South Bend.

SOUTH BEND — It has the makeup and makings to be an elite area for the Notre Dame football program this fall.

That secondary is something.

At one safety spot, there’s a Jersey guy (Adon Shuler from Irvington), who likely will be a two-time team captain and the group’s playmaking pulse. At the other is a quiet kid from Fort Wayne, Indiana (Tae Johnson) on track to become a national name. One cornerback was a relative unknown from Texas (Leonard Moore) set to be a three-time All-American and likely high NFL draft pick next spring. The other corner from St. Louis (Christian Gray) is a survivor from all the scars accumulated over the last three seasons.

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Those four right there would be enough. Not with this group.

Backup corners Dallas Golden and Mark Zackery could be front-line guys for a lot of programs. Same with second-string safeties Ethan Long and Luke Talich. How might transfers DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders fit? Freshman corners Ayden Pouncey and Nick Reddish and safety Joey O’Brien could be special, but we might not see it this season. There’s only so many secondary snaps to spread around.

Directing it all is a first-year Irish assistant (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Aaron Henry), who played the position in college, who’s coached it, who knows when he sees what he sees in that room at Notre Dame.

This group doesn’t just want to be good. It wants to be great. Best in the country, great. Back end of a national championship defense great. You don’t have to tell these guys. They know it. They sense it.

“This secondary can be tremendous,” Moore said. “We know who we’ve got in the room. We know our potential. Regardless of how much talent we have in the room, it’s how focused we are. How much we can lock in on each given rep.”

This group won’t suddenly wake up one day this fall, be it the opener against Wisconsin or later at home in the revenge game against Miami (Fla.), and decide to be elite. Those moments are built off those reps this spring, when the corners and the safeties collectively were determined to shut down everything sent their way.

Any bad rep was a missed chance to build toward great. They believe that every time they line up in practice — Moore and Golden and Zackery at the corners, Gray at the nickel, Johnson and Shuler lurking — they are the best. It’s one thing to say it. It’s another to show it, something Henry often reminds them.

“I don’t just want to talk about it; I want to do it,” Henry said. “You need to practice like that and your preparation has to be like that.”

When it’s not, when something’s off or someone slips, Henry corrects them. Encourages them. Humbles them. Reminds them that for everybody who tells them that they can be great, they’re not there yet. Not even close.

It’s a long, lonely road to elite.

“(I’m) trying to get these dudes to understand every day you walk in the building, it’s a race and it’s a challenge not against the rest of the country, but against yourself,” Henry said. “They’re getting compliments and pats on the back, that’s when you’ve got to elevate your play. We’re not where I want us to play. We’ll probably never be where I want us to be.”

∎ ∎ ∎

That’s Henry’s job — to never settle. He can’t. Not with this group, but he knows when he sees special. He knows what this group can do. That smile says so.

“They can be really good, man,” he said. “They can be really good.”

The standard is the standard. For the secondary, that standard is raise-your hand and jump up high. Nothing less accepted. These guys are wise to the college football world. They look around the room and they know. They see who came before them and they know. They look around the country and they know.

Nobody outside of the Gug knows how good the secondary might be at Ohio State or Texas, two teams that are often mentioned in the same breath as Notre Dame when it comes to standout secondaries. Let them talk in Austin. Let them talk in Columbus.

We’ll take the secondary in South Bend. Put it first. Tout their talents and their togetherness. Then watch them work. With confidence. With swagger. With shut-down – and shut-out – intentions. Not just a guy out on the island here or a guy on the back end there. Everyone. On every play. As one.

“If we’re of one accord, we can be the best in the country,” said Zackery, who played 11 games with three starts a year ago as a true freshman. “That’s an everyday goal to prove that. I feel like if we’re at our peak, we’re playing our best ball, we can do that.”

There’s no other choice for a group that has produced the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Cam Hart, Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts of late. Those guys were good. NFL good. These guys can be good. Best in the country good.

“We’re replaying history all over again,” Gray said. “We’ve got all these guys and all these cats who are so good, we’ve just got to catch the ball and dominate every game. That’s how it’s going to make us great.”

Catch the ball when it’s in the air and tackle the guy with the ball. Every play. Every game. Every week. Sounds easy.

“That’s what makes an elite DB room,” said Shuler, who believes the group can be the “fire starter” for this defense this season. From the jump. No more slow starts like against Miami and Texas A&M. Start fast. Play faster.

Being elite is about more than talent. Or tackling. Or ball skills. It’s confidence and some cockiness. It’s holding one another to that high standard. It's being good in practice and in a game one week, then being better the next.

It's shutting out the noise and having a tunnel vision to never settle. Never be complacent.

“It’s a little of everything,” Moore said. “We’re going to be special.”

Time to be great.

Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at tnoie@sbtinfo.com

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Don't sleep on this Notre Dame football position group this season