Notre Dame Defense Loaded With Depth, Versatility Heading Into 2026 Season

It’s no secret that Notre Dame’s defense enters 2026 with massive expectations.

Under Chris Ash, the Irish return NFL-caliber talent at every level, and this spring was focused on maximizing depth across the board.

Linebacker remains one of the deepest positions on the roster. Notre Dame deployed a five-man rotation a year ago, and all five return in 2026. Even more encouraging, Ash was able to build additional depth this spring despite injuries sidelining key contributors like Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, while Madden Faraimo was limited.

That opened the door for younger players to gain valuable reps, but one of the more intriguing developments was Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed working side-by-side. 

“It was really the first time that those two guys played together,” stated Ash. ‘They really haven't played together a lot. They had to work together on communication, setting the front, adjusting things. They really haven't played the middle Mike linebacker position. Both of them did a lot of that here this spring.” 

While a permanent move to Mike isn’t likely with Bowen, Faraimo and Viliamu-Asa in the mix, the experience adds versatility to the defense.

It’s also worth noting Sneed won MVP of the spring game with four tackles and an interception.

“They've played a lot of snaps here,” explained Ash. “They played a lot of linebacker, but playing Mike and playing Will, it's different. It was great to see those two guys through the course of spring really work together, communicate together and as we went through, they got a lot better and more comfortable at just adjusting things out and playing off of each other.” 

On the back end, Notre Dame may boast the deepest secondary in the country.

That depth was on display during the Blue-Gold Game when All-American Leonard Moore was a late scratch and Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders stepped in seamlessly. Sanders finished with two tackles and two pass breakups, including one on a deep shot to Micah Gilbert.

Ash noted that Sanders’ performance was especially impressive given that most of his spring reps came at nickel.

“Jayden has done a great job for us all spring,” stated Ash. “We've had him at nickel a lot. He's never played nickel. We needed him at nickel. So most of his snaps here this spring were at nickel.

“We put him out at corner and he went out there and did a great job. It just speaks to him as a person and what he's done here in such a short amount of time to learn multiple positions and whatever we asked him to do. He's done a great job, really happy he's here.” 

The nickel position will be one of the most competitive battles heading into fall camp, with Sanders, Christian Gray and Dallas Golden all in the mix.

Gray’s move inside this spring was notable, though Ash hasn’t locked in a permanent role.

“We moved Christian into nickel here for the spring,” Ash explained. “I'm not saying it's a permanent move or not yet. We still have to decide that as we move forward. All the pieces that we're going to have in training camp, both at linebacker and at DB, have not been out there this spring. We put him in there. We wanted to test him and he's done a great job.” 

Still, Gray’s late-spring surge may make that decision easier.

“There were a lot of things we put on our nickel between man and zones, deep zones, underneath zones, blitzing and he's done a great job of just working and grinding and trying to get better throughout the course of spring,” said Ash. “The last few practices were probably his best practices of the spring. He's coming out of spring on a positive note. We hope that carries into training camp as well.” 

On the defensive front, Notre Dame saw immediate upgrades on the field between the transfer and early enrollee arrivals. The Irish are more athletic, bigger and stronger on the defensive line, but the X-factor could be a player who was on the roster a year ago. 

Redshirt freshman Chris Burgess Jr. moved inside and had a productive spring for the Irish, which sets him up to make a move in the fall.

“He's put on a lot of weight,” explained Ash. “He's gotten a lot bigger and a lot stronger. We think he's got a really bright future. We have a lot of depth on the interior D line. It's got to all sort out when we get through training camp.” 

If Burgess can break into the rotation this fall, it would speak volumes. But regardless, Ash and Notre Dame know they have someone who will impact the game in the future. 

“He's made a lot of progress here throughout the spring, understanding his assignments, really taking to the new coaching with Coach (Charlie) Partridge and what we're asking him to do,” Ash said. “He's really improved, and I think the sky's the limit for him. I'm really pleased with the improvement that he's made. I can't wait to see what he does in training camp.” 

Despite the talent, Ash remains focused on continued development.

“I'm still trying to find that depth,” Ash stated. “When everybody's healthy, we're going to have some really good depth on this team. We still have some pieces that we have to develop to create some depth. We've just got to go get better. From the first team, second team, third team, however that depth chart sorts out after spring, we all have to go get better.”

The spring provided a strong foundation, but the next step is carrying that momentum into the summer and fall.

“A lot of individuals got better,” said Ash. “We have to continue to work and grind and stay focused and get a lot better through training camp, not only with the guys that have played a lot, but we've got to create some depth and bring some young guys along.” 

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