Notre Dame 2023 Class Rankings - Defense Edition
Notre Dame head coach wrapped up his first full recruiting class with the 2023 group, and it was an outstanding haul. It was a balanced class that was loaded on both sides of the ball.
After finally grading all of the senior film it's time to provide final rankings and analysis for the class. This is the deepest defensive class I've ever evaluated or graded for Notre Dame. All 12 players graded out as Top 250 recruits on the current grade.
PROSPECT RANKING
1. Jaiden Ausberry, LB, 6-2, 215, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab
2. Christian Gray, CB, 6-1, 175, St. Louis (Mo.) University Christian
3. Drayk Bowen, LB, 6-2, 230, Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean
4. Micah Bell, CB, 5-11, 165, Houston (Texas) The Kinkaid School
5. Devan Houstan, DT, 6-5, 270, Hagerstown (Md.) Saint James School
6. Preston Zinter, LB, 6-3, 215, Lawrence (Mass.) Central Catholic
7. Brenan Vernon, DE, 6-5, 250, Mentor (Ohio) High School
8. Adon Shuler, S, 6-1, 190, Irvington (N.J.) High School
9. Armel Mukam, DE, 6-4, 250, Woodberry Forest (Va.) School
10. Boubacar Traore, DE, 6-4, 255, West Roxbury (Mass.) Catholic Memorial
11. Ben Minich, S, 6-0, 185, Cincinnati (Ohio) Lakota West
Here is a breakdown of the Notre Dame signees:
1. JAIDEN AUSBERRY, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Baton Rouge, La./University Lab
Height/Weight: 6-2, 215
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 50 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Ausberry has an outstanding combination of football intelligence and athleticism. Yes, he lacks ideal size, but Ausberry has all the tools you need to be a truly dominant college linebacker. The New Orleans native is smooth and explosive, and his ability to quickly diagnose, shoot gaps and blow up run plays is special. Ausberry shows excellent change of direction ability, which combined with his instincts and speed allows him to be a highly disruptive pass defender. He was incredibly productive as a high school player and projects to be that in college as well. Ausberry needs to fill out and add more weight room strength, and when that comes he'll have a chance to be outstanding.
Notre Dame Fit: Ausberry is a bit on the raw side technically from both a block destruction and footwork standpoint, but those are traits that can be addressed quickly. The range, athleticism and playmaking ability that Ausberry possesses make him a great fit for the Will linebacker spot. Ausberry's intelligence, leadership and tackling skills could fit very nicely at the Mike position, assuming he can fill out well.
2. CHRISTIAN GRAY, CORNERBACK
Hometown/High School: St. Louis, Mo./De Smet
Height/Weight: 6-1, 175
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Gray made a huge jump as a senior, going from a Top 150 caliber prospect to being just on the border of being a Top 50 player. Gray always showed a good feel for coverage, showing the ability to thrive in man looks and when playing off the receiver. As a senior, Gray showed off the 4.41 speed he was reported to have that didn't always show up on film during his junior season. His speed was easy to see as a senior. Gray has excellent agility and closing speed, and he's extremely long. Combined with his strong instincts in coverage, Gray's athleticism and length allowed him to make a ton of plays on the ball, and he did so against an outstanding schedule.
Notre Dame Fit: Gray could easily play either cornerback spot in the Notre Dame defense. He is long, rangy and a strong tackler, which would allow him to thrive at the field position, where Cam Hart plays. I think Gray has even better press skills and shows big time man coverage skills, which combined with his length and functional strength make him an even better fit in the boundary position.
3. DRAYK BOWEN, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Merrillville, Ind./Andrean
Height/Weight: 6-2, 230
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Bowen had an outstanding senior season, dominating as both a running back and linebacker. He's one of the best all-around athletes in the class. Bowen shows outstanding box explosiveness, possessing the ability to quickly plant and explode through holes. Bowen is a powerful tackler and despite being on the raw side he makes a ton of plays on the football, which was an area I wanted to see him improve upon in his final season. Bowen has good range but he's not quite as rangy as Ausberry and not quite as natural in coverage, but he's still good in that area. Bowen will need to work on block destruction and improve his feel for the position, but his tools are tremendous.
Notre Dame Fit: Bowen was sort of a Rover/Will player as a junior, but my projection for him changed quite a bit in his final season. He filled out to 230 pounds and looked a lot more like a pure inside linebacker. Bowen has the range and athleticism to play Will, but I can't help but envision that power, frame and playmaking ability lining up at Mike. We know he has the leadership and communication ability to thrive at Mike.
4. MICAH BELL, CORNERBACK
Hometown/High School: Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School
Height/Weight: 5-10, 165
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: There is no question that Bell is the fastest and most explosive player in this class. Heck, Bell is one of the fastest and most explosive players in the entire country. The Houston native was a 1,000-yard rusher, a lock down corner and a dynamic return man in high school. He's extremely raw technically, which drops his grade down a bit, and he's a bit short. But Bell is able to make up for that lack of size with blazing speed, fluid athleticism and surprisingly good ball skills for a player his size. If he was more technically proficient Bell would be a bit higher on this list, but it's hard not to get very excited about his speed and potential in the Irish defense.
Notre Dame Fit: His lack of size projects Bell to the field positions, where he could be a strong man player on the outside, and a really pesky nickel back. He is similar in size to TaRiq Bracy but he's a lot faster, which is saying something. Bell's range and tackling ability could also allow him to thrive playing off man when playing outside. Bell should also get a shot to be an impact return man for the Irish.
5. DEVAN HOUSTAN, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Hometown/High School: Hagerstown, Md./Saint James School
Height/Weight: 6-5, 270
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Houstan has really grown on me over the last year, and he rose up the rankings quite a bit as a senior. At 6-5 and 270 pounds with a broad and thick frame, Houstan will have a chance to be a legit 300-pounder early his career. Houstan has powerful and quick hands, which combines with his size and power to make him a force up the middle. When he keeps his pads low, Houstan also shows a really nice burst off the line and he has disruptive playmaking potential, especially when playing over the center. He'll need to play with consistently better leverage and enhance his hand technique, but when those come Houstan has a chance to be a force.
Notre Dame Fit: Houstan has a chance to play either interior position in a four-down defense, and he could also play on the edge in three-man looks. I like him as more of an interior guy, and I could really see him being an impact player at the nose spot. If he is able to get up to 300 pounds like I think, Houstan has the athletic skills at that size to really give the Irish a playmaker right up the middle, which would be huge.
6. PRESTON ZINTER, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic
Height/Weight: 6-3, 215
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Zinter was another fast riser as a senior. His senior film was outstanding, but the Massachusetts native also had a bit of a growth spurt. He looked to be at least an inch (if not more) and at least 10-15 pounds bigger as a senior, and that also came with a jump in explosiveness. Zinter appears to have really good length, and he played a lot more off back linebacker in 2022. He's not a burner, but Zinter gets downhill in a hurry and he is rangier than you'd expect. He's a smooth athlete and when he plants and drives he covers a lot of ground. Zinter is a strong player and a quality tackler, but he was also a pretty darn good high school tight end.
Notre Dame Fit: Zinter could play two positions at Notre Dame, bot the Mike spot and potentially he could grow into a Vyper. I really want to see Zinter get a chance at the Mike spot. His size, power and short-area quickness combines well with his downhill speed, length and power to make him a potential tackling machine as a Mike player. If he can't work up the depth chart, or if he gets a bit too big for Mike, he could come off the edge.
7. BRENAN VERNON, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: Mentor, Ohio/Mentor
Height/Weight: 6-5, 250
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Vernon has a thick, powerful frame, one that could easily get to around 300 pounds. He put a bit too much weight on too early, but he slimmed down for the all-star game, which should allow the Irish to build him up properly. Mentor uses Vernon primarily as a space eater. He has very good length, flashes powerful hands, a strong lower body and the power to be a force at the point of attack. His get off can be inconsistent at times, but when he is right he shows disruptive ability against the run. Vernon's grade drops a bit due to a lack of production and some minor injury woes, but he has a lot of upside. There's definitely a lot to work with, but he's raw.
Notre Dame Fit: I think he has the tools to be a run-stuffing end or a disruptive interior player. That versatility, which will depend in large part to how big he gets, adds to Vernon's value. He's a power player, that's for sure, and he needs work as a pass rusher, but I love his potential to be an impact run defender for the Irish.
Note: It should be noted that part of Vernon's drop in my rankings is a lack of access to senior film. Outside of a couple of clips here and there, and of course the all-star game, I saw very, very little of his senior season.
8. ADON SHULER, SAFETY
Hometown/High School: Irvington, N.J./Irvington
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Every year there's a player that I rank lower than I expected based on my grades, and I feel that the player in question is going to make me look really bad for where I rank him. This year Adon Shuler is that player (Ben Minich is the other). I really like Shuler's film, and his character is even better. He's a smart football player, he's a quality athlete, he makes a ton of plays and he's a physically hitter in the alley. Shuler shows quick feet and loose hips, which translate well to coverage, and he has good range on the back. He's not the biggest player and there's nothing he's great at, which kept his grade down a bit, but the thing is Shuler is just flat out a good football player.
Notre Dame Fit: At the very least, Shuler is going to be an impact special teams player for the Irish. I really like his fit as a safety as well. He's versatile and can do a little bit of everything. Shuler can play the roof a bit, but he's at his best when he's coming down hill and playing in the alleys. Shuler is a really smart football player with captain potential.
9. ARMEL MUKAM, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: Woodberry Forest, Va./Woodberry Forest
Height/Weight: 6-4, 250
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: The next two spots are very interesting, because a case could be made the No. 10 and No. 11 players are also the two with the most natural gifts. That's certainly true for Mukam, who is still very much learning the game of football. Mukam has a lot of tools, including really impressive length, natural power and an impressive first step. He's surprisingly twitchy on the edge and he made a lot of plays as a senior. I was impressed with how much more comfortable he was playing as a senior, even though he still needs a ton of technical work. Mukam has fast hands, tremendous length and he packs a punch. Once he learns how to use his hands bette and gets more experience I see him game exploding. He's a true low-floor/high-ceiling player.
Notre Dame Fit: I could see Mukam moving inside, but I really want to see him stay on the edge. I absolutely love his potential as a big end in the Notre Dame defense. His power, length and initial burst are really impressive, and he has a natural feel as a pass rusher off the edge. If he blows up too much he could easily slide inside and be a highly productive three-technique. He needs a lot of work, but man I love this kid's upside.
10. BOUBACAR TRAORE, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: West Roxbury, Mass./Catholic Memorial
Height/Weight: 6-4, 255
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Traore fell quite a bit as a senior after ranking as a Top 150 prospect after his junior season. His upside is still enormous, and if you see below you'll see he's the No. 1 ranked player in the defensive class from an upside standpoint. Traore has truly elite length and powerful hands. He's athletic for his size, showing an impressive first step for his size, very closing speed and fast hands. There are few players in the country that possess his length, but right now Traore is still incredibly raw. He doesn't play with consistent pad level and his technique is very much a work in progress. He was injured for a chunk of his senior season as well, which dragged down his grade.
Notre Dame Fit: Make no mistake, if Traore hits his ceiling he could be a star, he has that kind of talent, but he's just incredibly raw right now. I love Traore as a big end as well, and he's more natural playing off the edge than he is in the few snaps where I've seen him inside. If he can learn the nuances of the game and stay healthy Traore could be a star, but he's this low because of the injuries and just raw he is at this point.
12. BEN MINICH, SAFETY
Hometown/High School: Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Minich is another player that has a chance to make me look bad with my ranking, but him being here also shows just how special this defensive class can be. He's the 12th player on my board, but he also grades out as a 4.0-star recruit and as a Top 250 national recruit. You could make a case for any of my bottom four players to rank much higher, that's how good the class is and how close these players are. Minich ranks this low mainly because of his size and lack of any elite traits, but like Shuler he's just an outstanding football player. Minich has good speed, he's smooth and he's rangy. His senior season was outstanding and he showed more playmaking ability and the skills to play all over the field.
Notre Dame Fit: Minich was more of an alley player after his junior season, but a senior he showed the combination of athleticism, intelligence and playmaking skills that fit in several roles at safety. Minich showed the ability to play over the top as a senior, and his man skills really stood out. Minich could be an early special teams player, but his playmaking skills and football IQ could help him work on the field early in his career.
UPSIDE RANKING
This is the most 5-star upside grades I've ever given to a Notre Dame defensive unit, by far.
1. Boubacar Traore, DL - 5.0
2. Armel Mukam, DL - 5.0
3. Brandyn Hillman, S - 5.0
4. Christian Gray, CB - 5.0
5. Drayk Bowen, LB - 5.0
6. Micah Bell, CB - 5.0
7. Brenan Vernon, DL - 5.0
8. Jaiden Ausberry, LB - 5.0
9. Preston Zinter, LB - 4.5
10. Devan Houstan, DL - 4.5
11. Ben Minich, S - 4.5
12. Adon Shuler, S - 4.0
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