Notre Dame 2024 Defensive Back Commits Are Looking For Big Senior Seasons

With the 2023 season kicking off very shortly, the future of Notre Dame football is set to show out on the high school level. That includes the 2024 recruits, who are all eying massive senior campaigns.

Let’s take a look at the Irish defensive back commits, what they bring to the table and the potential growth they can all have as seniors. It is an incredibly toolsy group.

CB Leonard Moore - Round Rock (Texas) HS

Long limbed and patient, Moore looks especially comfortable working from off coverage. As a zone corner, he displays an outstanding understanding of spacing and premier instincts. This allows Moore to make a ton of plays on the football, force turnovers and plenty of incompletions.

Moore is also surprisingly fluid for a cornerback his height. When working in man coverage, he can change direction well and mirror effectively. This allows him to potentially match up to wide receivers of various size profiles and styles.

NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR

The straight line speed for Moore is solid but unspectacular. There is a hope that the speed gets to a different level this year with another year of physical development. It’s not necessarily a requisite for his play style but would be very helpful.

From a body type perspective, Moore is a very skinny player. Adding weight to his frame would be incredibly beneficial both as a tackler and with his ability to match physicality at the line of scrimmage, and down the field.

CB Karson Hobbs - Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller

Hobbs has quickly become a fan favorite since flipping from South Carolina. His infectious personality spills over into his game, playing with extreme confidence and swagger. He profiles best as a press man cornerback, using his length and physicality to his full advantage at the line of scrimmage.

Hobbs’ competitiveness also jumps off of film once you flip it on. He is a really good tackling corner, clearly taking pride in his work in the run game. It also helps him tremendously at the catch point, consistently winning through contact at a high rate.

NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR

Hobbs is a smooth athlete but the explosiveness is something that may need to take a step forward. He has been posting some nice track and field times this off-season so the hope is that it takes a step forward. If so, it’ll go a long way to consistently stay attached to opposing wide receivers.

While he excels in press coverage, Hobbs does not look nearly as comfortable in off. There are some false steps out of his pedal that allow some easy separation. An attention to detail in regard to technique could go a long way.

S Brauntae Johnson - Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side

There aren’t many more physically gifted safeties in the 2024 class than Johnson, who also doubles as a standout wide receiver for North Side. He is a twitched up and explosive athlete who shows outstanding range all over the field. This should allow him to make a large impact in a variety of deep zone coverages.

From a physicality perspective, Johnson has no issue getting involved in the run game despite his skinnier frame. Once he adds more size, he has a chance to become a major asset in that department. Johnson comes to balance well and makes his presence felt.

NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR

As mentioned, Johnson is very thin right now. He will have to put on a substantial amount of weight, which should be no issue with the frame he boasts. If he is able to improve that power profile, Johnson has a chance to be special.

Being a two-way star for North Side, the technique for Johnson on defense is extremely raw. His pedal is sloppy and is often almost flat root reading from depth. With a deeper attention to detail, Johnson can make things a lot easier on himself and even create a higher level of difference making plays.

S Kennedy Urlacher - Chandler (Ariz.) HS

From a tone setting perspective, there aren’t many more intimidating hitters in the 2024 class than Urlacher. The Arizona native plays with a chip on his shoulder, delivering some massive blows as a run and alley filler. He consistently comes to balance with a vengeance.

While it’s tough to quantify at times, Urlacher just has a propensity to make plays all over the field. He appears to be around the ball, ready and able to make an array of big plays. Urlacher did everything from make impact tackles, intercept and break up passes, put heat on the quarterback and scoop and score as a junior.

NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR

Athletically, Urlacher seems to possess a good enough all around profile to make impact plays. For whatever reason, his ball production is not nearly at the level that you would want. Urlacher becoming a more impactful pass coverage player as a senior would be massive for his projection.

There are times where Urlacher comes in on tackles with reckless abandon and doesn’t fully wrap up. It doesn’t hurt him a ton on the college level but when opposing ball carriers get bigger and more powerful, it could cause some missed attempts on the next level. An attention to detail as a form tackler is an area that he should be able to improve on.

S Taebron Bennie-Powell - West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West

Similar to Urlacher, Bennie-Powell brings a tenacious style as a defender. Near the line of scrimmage he is an imposing player, showcasing an outstanding ability as a tackler. Bennie-Powell brings outstanding effort and tackle radius to the table, which makes him a really hard player to escape.

The versatility that Bennie-Powell brings to the table is incredibly intriguing. As a junior, he was used mostly as a rover and outside linebacker. He also spent time on the edge to rush the passer. As a senior, it is expected for Bennie-Powell to occupy a more traditional safety spot. He has played a lot of different positions for a talented Lakota West squad.

NEXT STEP AS A SENIOR

What Bennie-Powell looks like at safety is a complete question mark. What will he look like working from depth? What impact can he have in pass coverage? It is all a complete unknown.

The rumors are his athleticism has really taken a step forward this off-season. Showcasing improved speed and explosiveness would be a welcomed sight. If he can, Bennie-Powell may end up being a steal.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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