DEPTH CHART: ‘Notre Dame’ Defense vs. NC State

According to the latest injury report, on defense Nickel Back Davonta Smith is out for the NC State Game with a right calf injury. As a result, Smith is no longer listed on the official depth chart, with Dallas Golden listed as Nickel Back starter. Karson Hobbs is listed as a back-up Nickel Back, while also continuing to being listed as an alternate back-up to Leonard Moore at Cornerback. Some of the previous reshufflings in the defensive backs depth chart were impacted by Leonard Moore’s dramatic return against Boise State, when he snagged two interceptions.

[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 Times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]

– CB –

15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr.
or 21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So. – 4.4

– BOUND –

8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6

– FIELD –

9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
11 JaDon Blair 6-5 205 Fr. – 4.56

– CB –

6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.

– NICKEL –

14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So. – 4.4
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.

– WILL –

3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.

– MIKE –

34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.

– VYPER –

5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.

– DT –

47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.

– DT –

41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr. – Questionable
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.

– DE –

95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.

[Note: Athough it had been reported in early 2025 that the program was moving beyond a Vyper concept, they do have “Vypers” on the current depth chart. The same players are listed as DE on the roster]