Notre Dame Defense Still Has Plenty To Improve Upon
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Notre Dame has been a program that has been largely carried by its defense for years, but the 2023 unit was one of the best of the last decade. The unit was a driving force behind the team's 10-3 campaign, and expectations are sky high for the group in 2024.
Notre Dame finished the 2023 season ranked 1st in pass efficiency defense, 2nd in lowest completion percentage allowed, 2nd in red zone defense, 3rd in pass defense, 3rd in fewest yards allowed per pass attempt, 5th in total defense, 5th in fewest yards allowed per play and 7th in scoring defense.
That's quite the performance, and the result earned defensive coordinator Al Golden a huge pay raise. As good as it was, head coach Marcus Freeman wants the defense to be even better.
"There is a lot to improve on," Freeman said of the Irish defense. "As you look at it statistically, we were really good defensively. But there are details in what we’re doing that we’ve got to continue to fix. We’ve got to tackle better. We’ve got to continue to find ways to play multiple/different coverages effectively."
Golden returning, and Freeman retaining elite corners coach Mike Mickens, as well as defensive line coach Al Washington and newly promoted linebackers coach Max Bullough is key.
The Irish defense also returns plenty of on-field talent and production from last season. All-Americans Xavier Watts and Howard Cross III return at safety and defensive tackle, respectively. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison in a preseason All-American, and linebacker Jack Kiser enters his fourth season as a starter. Defensive tackle Rylie Mills is also expected to be another foundation of a big time defense. The Irish also return plenty of talented young defenders that were part of Freeman's early recruiting success.
That experience is another key reason for the optimism surrounding the defense.
"What you have is a group that’s coming back, a veteran group that’s coming back and understands a lot of what (Golden) is looking for," Freeman explained. "So now you can start working on the next level."
Talent is one thing, but experience in the defense is another, and it's a big reason why Freeman believes this unit can be even better in 2024.
"Where we were at year one, we couldn’t do everything that (Golden) wanted to do," said the Irish head coach. "Then you progress to year two and you can play more schemes defensively. Now in year three, you can disguise a lot more.
"We can’t just keep putting in all these different defenses; enough is enough," Freeman continued. "But how can we disguise what we’re doing? I think we’re at the level now where we can really work on some pre-snap disguises and not just tell the offense what we’re playing. To make an offense react after the ball is snapped, that’s really beneficial."
Expectations are that Notre Dame will be improved on offense in 2024, which is needed. If Freeman is right, and the defense does get better, the Irish have a chance to have an outstanding season.
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