Notre Dame Football: Projected depth chart after 2018 NSD

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: Julian Love, Nick Watkins

Backups: Troy, Pride Jr., Shaun Crawford

After months of concern for the Irish secondary heading into the 2017 season, sophomore Julian Love exploded onto the scene, registering 68 total tackles, 20 passes defensed, and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. While there is talk of Love moving to safety, we’ll keep him as a cornerback for the time being.

Nick Watkins, another fifth-year senior on this Irish defense, has a few things to prove after lingering tendonitis led to him losing his starting spot over the last four games of this past season. Troy Pride Jr. played fine in his place, but I still believe a healthy Nick Watkins wins the starting job. Shaun Crawford also fared well in relief, recording a few tackles and pass breakups in 2017.

Starting safeties: Nick Coleman, Alohi Gilman

Backups: Isaiah Robertson, Jalen Elliott

While the safety position is extremely fluid at the moment, Navy transfer Alohi Gilman is all but a lock to get a crack at the starting job, whether that be at free or strong safety. I’ll give Nick Coleman the nod at free safety for the moment, while sending Jalen Elliott to the bench in order to make room for the incoming Gilman.

In terms of the respective backups for each position, I see incoming sophomore Isaiah Robertson making his presence felt outside of special teams while Elliott stays close behind Gilman. The Irish also have a plethora of depth at the position, with anyone from freshman Derrik Allen to junior Devin Studstill at liberty to throw their hat in the ring at any given time.