Notre Dame’s defense is learning to move before the ball is even snapped. Reporters saw the team run its first practice of fall camp on Thursday morning, and the depth chart already shows a clear plan. Dallas Golden and DJ McKinney are set to start at cornerback, while Francis Brewu anchors the line. This unit enters the fifth season under Marcus Freeman with a specific goal to play downhill and shoot gaps. The team carries high expectations as the fifth-ranked squad in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
First Look at the Depth Chart
The first practice of fall camp happened on Thursday morning, exactly one month before the Week 1 game against Wisconsin. Reporters watched every second of the session and put together an updated two-deep depth chart for the defense. They saw Dallas Golden and DJ McKinney working at cornerback. Francis Brewu was also observed on the defensive line. The Irish are entering their fifth season with head coach Marcus Freeman. They hold the number five spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The team has a “championship or bust” mindset for this year.
Notre Dame claims two of the top three players listed by Joel Klatt for the 2026 season. The new Eilers Family Sports Performance Center in Shields Hall made its debut this week. This facility is part of the new performance push. The defense looks to be a key part of that push. The depth chart is taking shape quickly. Golden and McKinney are the cornerbacks. Brewu is the defensive tackle. The team is ready to work.
A New Way to Play the Line
The biggest surprise is how the players are talking about movement. One player noted that playing off of movement was something they didn’t do last year with Coach Al Golden. That change was a big learning adjustment for the squad. The player said seeing how the defensive line moves and how linebackers fit really helped him during the spring. He plans to use that knowledge all year. The hope is to excel at playing off of movement and shooting gaps when they see them open.
This quote shows a clear shift in how the defense wants to attack. They want to be aggressive and move with the play. It’s a new skill set for this group. The coaching staff is pushing for this style. Charlie Partridge has been very good at recruiting players who can do this. The recruiting work is paying off on the field.
Key Players and Health Concerns
Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and wide receiver Quincy Porter are expected to be major contributors this fall. Both players enter the year as limited participants due to past issues. On Tuesday, Head coach Marcus Freeman previewed the team’s preparation for a season carrying very high expectations. Freeman said he expects all of those players to be ready for the start of the season. The hope is that Viliamu-Asa and Porter are both healthy to play against Wisconsin.
The team is losing running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price along with wide receiver Malachi Fields. Quarterback CJ Carr’s second-year progression inside OC Mike Denbrock’s system is one of the biggest questions for this year’s Notre Dame team. The defense has to step up because the offense faces big changes. The loss of key skill players puts more pressure on the defensive unit. They must be ready to stop the run and pass. The depth chart looks solid, but the health of key players remains a question mark.
What the Staff Hopes to Achieve
The staff wants to see the defense play with speed and purpose. The new facility helps them train better. The players are buying into the movement-based system. The goal is to dominate the line of scrimmage. The team is ranked fifth in the nation. They have championship expectations. The first practice showed promise. The depth chart is set. The players are focused on the big picture. The season starts soon.
That’s the standard they’re chasing.
