Notre Dame Football: Grading the Irish’s 2018 recruiting class

Defensive Backs: A

Another home-run by Brian Kelly. The defensive backfield was addressed by the head coach with some elite recruiting and last-minute commitments. In fact, the Irish landed five defensive backs and two athletes — Joe Wilkins Jr. and Braden Lenzy — who could also translate to the position. Wilkins Jr. will likely be a cornerback, but could play receiver, and Lenzy will be a wide out, but can play some corner.

The only early enrollee was four-star cornerback Houston Griffith from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He’s the 11th-best rated cornerback in the class and No. 70 overall recruit. He stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 192 pounds and has the look of a lockdown defender.

Four-star safety Derrik Allen stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 210 pounds and is aggressive in the secondary. He’s a force in that defensive backfield and could join that playing rotation right away. He’s the No. 106 overall prospect and ninth-best safety in the class.

Noah Boykin is the final four-star signee in the defense backfield and he chose the Irish over Virginia and Florida on National Signing Day. The No. 291 recruit, and 25th-best corner, in the class has impressive size, standing 6-foot-2, but he could afford to add muscle to his 170-pound frame.

Tariq Bracy has played plenty on the offensive side of the ball during his high school career, but the athlete is transitioning to cornerback. His 6-foot-0, 170-pound frame is great for the position and his athleticism is a nice perk, too.

DJ Brown, a three-star cornerback, and Paul Moala, a three-star safety, round out the class’ defensive backfield haul. These two will likely just add depth, but that’s not to say they won’t exceed expectations.