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Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame S DJ Brown Embracing Al Golden's Defense

April 4, 2022
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Notre Dame safety DJ Brown enters 2022 working with his third defensive coordinator in as many years. 

Al Golden is bringing some NFL schemes to the Irish defense, which the 6-foot, 200-pounder has enjoyed as the safeties get to play more coverages. 

"I feel like, for us, it's just a lot of variation," Brown stated. "Really just playing both zone and man coverage. I feel like last year we played a lot more man coverage, so just like a variation and just changing things up. It's kind of hard for offenses to read."

Golden's defense will play a few more games presnap and it's something Brown has embraced. 

"I really like the disguises that we have in," explained Brown. "Our other defenses would have certain disguises, but with Coach Golden, we have a lot more. There's like a lot more variation with the calls when we play Cover 2, Cover 3, or some man coverage. We mix it up a lot. I like that a lot." 

Now, the safeties will need to put in the work this spring to master the defense as there is much more on their plate. 

Brown admits that Golden's scheme has tested his room mentally, but it's about showing growth during the installation process. 

"It makes it harder, but repetition makes it easier for us," stated Brown. "Practice three or four when we first installed these calls, it might have been a little bit harder to think like what you're going to call, but eventually you get it down and it comes second nature."

Notre Dame safeties coach Chris O'Leary has been pleased with Brown's growth as there has been a specific focus on his game during the offseason. 

"He's improved a lot," O'Leary said. "Our focus this winter was improving that power that he has, finding a little bit more oomph in his tackles, being able to pop people a little bit. He's done a great job in the weight room, it's been a point of emphasis and it's starting to show up. He can play either side and he's definitely going to have enough power to play Brandon (Joseph) for us." 

Brown has also stepped up when it comes to leadership, which was needed as the Irish look to replace All-American Kyle Hamilton. 

"It kind of starts with the older guys - Brandon, Houston (Griffith) and DJ," said O'Leary. "They've taken it on themselves to overcommunicate and really lead that way. 

"You're starting to see Ramon (Henderson) and guys like that follow suit. We're going to keep pushing them to be more vocal, but it's gotten better."

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