Notre Dame’s defense has a tight-end problem, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
The Fighting Irish have given up five passing touchdowns to tight ends over their last three games, a sharp turn from the way they handled the position early in the year. In their first three games against P4 opponents - Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue - opposing tight ends combined for 10 catches, 74 yards and no scores. Since then, against North Carolina, Stanford and BYU, that number has jumped to 17 receptions, 151 yards and five touchdowns.
North Carolina’s Jelani Thurman and Shamar Easter did most of the damage in that stretch, piling up eight catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns between them. Stanford’s Benji Blackburn added three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Then BYU’s Walker Lyons turned in another productive afternoon with five catches for 49 yards and a score.
Overall, Notre Dame has allowed only eight passing touchdowns all season, but five have gone to tight ends, and all five have come in the last three games. The season totals sit at 27 catches, 225 yards, 8.3 yards per reception and five touchdowns. Some of the numbers have been softened by quieter outings from No. 2 tight ends such as Roger Saleapaga II of BYU, Jacob Harris of Wisconsin and Kai Rios of Michigan State, who finished those games with a combined three catches for 14 yards.
That issue matters because the Irish are about to run into another wave of tight-end talent. Miami’s offense draws plenty of attention for good reason, with quarterback Darien Mensah and wide receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate leading what is described as arguably the best offense in the country. But the Hurricanes also have Elija Lofton, who has 15 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns this season.
SMU brings its own problems at the position. Theo Melin Ohrstrom and Randy Pittman have combined for 32 receptions, 310 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Syracuse also features a tight end in Dauntae Bacheyie, who is the team’s second-leading pass catcher with 16 receptions, 246 yards and four touchdowns.
And the schedule doesn’t get any cleaner after that. If Notre Dame keeps winning, more tight ends could be waiting in the College Football Playoffs as well, including Lyons in a possible rematch with BYU. Other names on that list include Lawson Luckie at Georgia, Patrick Overmeyer at Houston and Nate Roberts at Ohio State.
The Irish have been strong against the run, but that alone won’t solve this. Tight ends have become a real crack in the armor, and Notre Dame needs a cleaner plan for handling them.
In Other News...
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Notre Dames defensive depth chart is getting thinner at the wrong time, and Marcus Freeman confirmed Thursday that cornerback DJ McKinney will miss the Navy game because of an ankle injury. Safety Brauntae Johnson is still out as well, while several other names remain in question, including tight end Cooper Flanagan, linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, defensive lineman Loghan Thomas and cornerback Mark Zackery IV.
The immediate concern is Navy, but the bigger worry around the program is what this looks like with Miami approaching. Notre Dame believes this cluster of injuries will matter even more in that matchup, where available bodies and rotational flexibility tend to be tested far more aggressively, especially on defense. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Still Has An Opening With Elite LB Kaden Henderson
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Henderson, for his part, has not given any indication that he is ready to move off his pledge, saying he still believes Texas A&M is the best fit. Notre Dame is still hoping to make a push before December signing day, but for now the Irish are simply trying to stay in the conversation and see whether the effort can turn into something more. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Fans Finally Get A First Look At Hidalgos New Support
Before Notre Dame tips off the season in earnest, fans will get an exhibition look at a roster that feels a little different around Hannah Hidalgo. The Irish are set to face Truman State with Hidalgo leading the way and two new transfers, Anaya Hardy and Madison St. Rose, giving the front line and the rotation some early-season intrigue.
For a team that already knows what it has in Hidalgo, the bigger question is how quickly those new pieces can settle in and change the way Notre Dame plays. Exhibition games do not answer everything, but they can offer a first glimpse at chemistry, roles and the kind of support the Irish hope will make this group deeper when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]