Jaden Mickey Continuing to Drive Competition in Notre Dame CB Room
Jaden Mickey has always been about his business.
When the California native arrived on campus in 2022, he instantly added an extremely competitive drive to the cornerback room, and that has continued into his junior year.
“Playing football,” Mickey said when asked about his favorite part of camp. “Playing football.”
Camp is a grind, but it’s also one of the few times Notre Dame’s players can fully immerse themselves in football.
“There’s really nothing else to worry about except each period, each rep,” stated Mickey. “That’s the best part about it. Playing the game.”
Notre Dame returns a wealth of experience across the defense and especially in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has been creative during his first two years in South Bend, but he could dial that up a notch this fall.
“Very,” Mickey stated when asked how creative Golden could get in 2024. “It’s been like that since my freshman year.”
Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens believes Golden’s NFL-style defense fits the personality of this group and it will also have a long-term impact.
"We have an NFL-style defense,” said Mickens. “It’s fun to play in, but it’s also fun to coach in as well. You know what we’re teaching is allowing them to want to have success, but also be successful at the next level.
“It allows them to see the whole scheme of things in that nature, where it’s a lot of moving pieces, but teaching them techniques and things of that nature allows them to be prepared and carry over things.”
Despite the experience in the back end of the defense, Notre Dame’s cornerback room isn’t overly deep. The Irish also lost senior cornerback Chance Tucker last weekend, and that will expedite the learning curve for freshmen cornerbacks Karson Hobbs and Leonard Moore.
It’s a position Mickey was in as a freshman, as he and Morrison both played early in their careers. In fact, both played double-digit snaps in their first career game at Ohio State in 2022.
“They’ve been good,” stated Mickey. “It’s fun to be there with them and get to rock out with them.”
Mickey also credits Mickens for allowing the room to be super competitive while also keeping it a healthy competition across the board.
“It’s been good,” said Mickey. “It’s always good here. I think Coach Mickens does a good job at keeping us tight.”
Entering his third camp, Mickey is competing with sophomore Christian Gray for the starting job opposite Benjamin Morrison. Field corner is a spot Mickey played a year ago and he’s leaned on his experience in the boundary and even the nickel to help him develop his game on the outside.
“Definitely beneficial,” Mickey said of his time in the nickel. “Pick routes, rub routes, or even a China call or something. “Definitely helpful knowing what they have to do and it’s fun playing out there with JC (Jordan Clark), Karson (Hobbs), Ben Minich, whoever’s out there.”
As for his health, Mickey admits he’s been slowed by a groin injury, but he’ll be ready to go week one.
“I try not to make it worse,” said Mickey. “It’s day-to-day. I’m just trying to be 100 percent.”
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