Notre Dame CB TaRiq Bracy Ascending & Ready for Homecoming

Notre Dame's defense is ascending in November as the Fighting Irish have yet to give up a score this month. 

It'd be easy to make a case for several players who have made the biggest jump this year and senior cornerback TaRiq Bracy is on that list. 

Bracy has played all four years for the Irish, but had a rocky junior year  in 2020. 

Marcus Freeman and Mike Mickens made it a point to get his confidence up and Bracy dedicated himself to the areas he needed to improve. 

"Watching more film and taking care of my body," stated Bracy. "Those two things have helped me be able to perform better and help the team out.

"Coach Freeman is a great coach and we have great players on the team. We've been playing together for a while. Having that chemistry has been very helpful for the defense." 

More dedication in The Gug is important, but Bracy also leaned on what he had been taught since he was a youngster. 

"There have been ups and downs," said Bracy. "I kept my head down and kept working. It is what it is, but I don't try to look back on it. I try to move forward and finish out the season.

"It's not easy, but I was always taught to stay strong and there will be downs and bad times. You have to fight through it and be gritty." 

Life on the perimeter isn't easy as you can be the best cornerback in the country and balls will still be caught on you. 

Bracy knows the offense will make plays, but he's also leaning on being a mentally strong player this fall. 

"Playing cornerback, you have to have a short-term memory," explained Bracy. "One play you can do well and the next play, you can get bombed for a touchdown. It's all about your mindset. That's how I've been taught and I carry that with me." 

The California native is also excited for this weekend as Notre Dame will play 25 minutes from his hometown of Milpitas. 

"I have a bunch of family and friends texting me," Bracy said. "They're excited and I'm excited as well being able to go back home.

"My senior year being able to play at home, it's great. Back in high school, I would play in Palo Alto, so it's a full circle coming back. It's going to be great." 

Bracy has another year left at Notre Dame and while he wouldn't confirm his future plans, the 5-foot-10, 177-pounder made it clear he had no second thoughts about choosing to come to South Bend. 

"Being at Notre Dame, receiving an education and playing ball at the highest level is a rare combination," said Bracy. "It's been great for me."