Joey O’Brien arrived at Notre Dame with the kind of billing that turns heads right away. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound defensive back enrolled in January as the highest-rated safety prospect to sign with the Irish in the modern recruiting era, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
He spent spring ball working mostly with the second and third units, earning more and more run over the program’s 15 practices. Then came the final one, the 96th annual Blue-Gold Game, and a scare: O’Brien was seen leaving the field on crutches with his left foot elevated.
A few days later, he gave a glimpse of what had happened by posting a photo on Instagram that appeared to show he had undergone some kind of procedure for the injury.
"That was a scary moment," O'Brien said. "That was my first injury ever.
So, obviously it was a setback, but like I said, everyone's so supportive in there. It's really like a family, so there wasn't really any stressing."
The good news for Notre Dame was that the setback didn’t linger. By the time fall camp opened, O’Brien was back at full speed, and he did enough in August to crack the Week 1 depth chart as a second-stringer.
Through the first three games, he has logged 46 snaps overall, with 22 coming on defense and 24 on special teams. He has three tackles, and most of his work has come in garbage time or in short stretches designed to give the Michigan State offense a different look.
His role suddenly became more important last weekend after Luke Talich went down with a left wrist injury in Notre Dame’s 27-10 win over Michigan State. Talich had started the previous 10 quarters after a returning freshman All-American suffered a significant left foot injury in the opener.
O’Brien also drew a comparison that clearly means something to him. He said, "It’s a Great Feeling to be Compared to" Kyle Hamilton.
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Notre Dame Just Got A Huge Edge In UNCs Biggest Weakness
Bill Belichick has made it clear Billy Edwards will stay under center for North Carolinas trip to Notre Dame, even as the passing game continues to sputter. The Tar Heels have had their issues throwing the ball this season, and Belichick pointed to the broader challenge of getting the entire offense working more cleanly rather than pinning it all on the quarterback.
For Notre Dame, that leaves a familiar matchup edge against a unit still searching for consistency through the air. Edwards has completed 56.4% of his passes this season, and North Carolina enters the game as a three-touchdown underdog, which only adds to the pressure on an offense that will need sharper execution to keep the Irish from controlling the night. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Could Land A Recruiting Win Oklahoma Fans Would Hate
Recruiting momentum has a way of building quietly, and Notre Dame is at least in the mix for one of the more intriguing names in the 2028 class. Kamieon Compton-Nero, a four-star athlete with nearly 20 scholarship offers, has trimmed his list to five schools, with the Irish alongside Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Alabama and SMU. He is set to be in South Bend on Nov. 7, when Notre Dame hosts Miami, giving the program a chance to make a strong impression in a high-profile setting.
For the Irish, the visit matters because Compton-Nero has already shown a positive view of the coaching staff and the program, which is often the first step in turning a shortlist into real traction. Oklahoma is still squarely in the hunt, and that only raises the stakes for a matchup that could have significance far beyond the field. Notre Dame will be trying to turn a game-day atmosphere into something lasting, with a coveted recruit watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiyah Love Is Rising Fast And Notre Dame Fans Will Love Why
Jeremiyah Loves recent breakout with the Arizona Cardinals offered a glimpse of the kind of all-around back he is becoming, and Notre Dame fans have every reason to keep an eye on his rise. Against the San Francisco 49ers, he handled a heavy workload on the ground, added work as a receiver and finished with his first career receiving touchdown, showing the versatility that made him such an intriguing young player in the first place.
Even in defeat, Loves approach stood out. He took personal responsibility for not making the most of every chance, which is the kind of accountability coaches and teammates notice quickly. Through the season, he has also emerged as one of the most productive first-year players in the league, leading all rookies in yards and carries, a sign that his role and his confidence are growing fast. [Read more 🡒]