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

'Notre Dame' Stadium Facade with People Looking Over Edges, with 'University of Notre Dame' Engraved in Gold Lettering

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]

[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-06.pdf]