Notre Dame is still waiting on the kind of return that can change the look of its defense.
Safety Brauntae Johnson, the opening-day starter, won’t be back for Navy, and the setback has stretched well beyond the injury timeline that had him out “for a few weeks.” The current hope is that he can return for Miami, or SMU at the latest.
That delay matters because Johnson is more than just another body in the secondary. Even with Notre Dame’s depth, the defense is simply better when he is on the field.
“ When Tae’s on the field, we have a game changer,” Fighting Irish star Jaylen Sneed said after practice earlier this week. “We have a player that can make every play, can run sideline to sideline and just be a ballhawk for us - just like Luke (Talich) is. When Tae Tae’s on the field, it just brings a whole other element to the Notre Dame defense of violence, communication - everything.”
Talich, the player filling in for Johnson, didn’t sound threatened by the praise. He had nothing but respect for the injured safety and said Johnson has stayed involved around the program.
“Tae Tae has been great,” Talich said. “He’s been around the facilities all the time, getting recovery and things like that.
He’s doing what he can to help the young guys and be there for anyone that needs it. He’s doing his part for sure.”
“ He’s getting back, he’s getting better, and I’m excited for him to come back. It won’t be too long here before he’s hopefully in pads again.
Super excited for him. Hopefully we can make a push at the end of the year with him for sure.”
There’s a clear reason teammates are eager to get Johnson back. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper still has him as the top safety in his 2027 NFL Mock Draft, despite the fact that he has already missed more than half the season.
Johnson’s 2025 production showed why he drew that kind of attention: 48 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 4 interceptions, including a 73-yard touchdown return. He had been expected to build on that in 2026.
Talich has played well in his place, but he made it clear he never saw his role as taking Johnson’s job for good.
“I wasn’t too focused on replacing Tae Tae,” Talich said. “I was more focused on just doing my job.
Tae Tae’s a great player, and I respect him, and I love him for it. Hopefully he can help us when he gets back for sure.”
In Other News...
Notre Dame Is Doing What It Takes To Keep A 5-Star Locked In
When a five-star recruit takes a bye week, Notre Dame is making sure the relationship stays front and center. Marcus Freeman and Charlie Partridge recently visited Abraham Sesay during his high school break, a reminder that the Irish are treating the 2027 edge rusher like a priority long after his June 2026 commitment. Partridge even stayed to watch a game after Sesay exited early with an injury, a small gesture that still says plenty about how seriously Notre Dame is approaching the recruitment.
Sesay has plenty of reason to stay on the programs radar, too. The five-star from the 2027 class chose Notre Dame over several major programs, and his profile keeps rising with a Navy All-American honor coming at a school pep rally before he heads to the East vs. West All-American Bowl in January 2027. For the Irish, the next challenge is less about winning him over and more about making sure that commitment keeps holding as the spotlight gets brighter. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Has Too Much NFL Talent For This Start
Even after a loss to BYU, there is no shortage of NFL-caliber talent on Notre Dames roster, and ESPNs Mel Kiper underscored that in his latest 2027 mock draft. Kiper placed five Irish players among the top five at their positions, a reminder that this team is stocked with prospects who are already drawing national attention. Leonard Moore came in as the No. 1 cornerback, while Brauntae Johnson was slotted as the top safety despite limited playtime this season.
For Notre Dame, that kind of preseason and early-season respect only raises the pressure to translate potential into results. Marcus Freemans demeanor after the BYU loss suggested a coach who knows the standard is higher than what the Irish showed, and the roster rankings only sharpen the spotlight on a group expected to look much further along. The talent is obvious, but the challenge now is proving it in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Has One Defensive Problem It Must Fix Before Navy
Notre Dames defense is heading into Navy week with a familiar priority and a very specific one: the middle of the field has to hold up better. Navys triple-option attack puts constant stress on interior gaps, making life especially difficult for a front that has already shown some recent vulnerability. For the Irish, this is less about flashy adjustments than it is about winning the trenches and staying disciplined play after play.
One name to keep an eye on is defensive tackle Tionne Gray, who could be central to how well Notre Dame handles the physical grind that comes with this matchup. The Irish do not need perfection, but they do need a sturdier interior presence if they want to force Navy out of the comfort zone that makes the option so effective. What happens up front will shape everything else about the game. [Read more 🡒]