Notre Dame 2024 Commits Big Board: Defense Edition
Notre Dame is looking to add a third straight outstanding defensive class to the roster, but there is a lot of work to do. The Fighting Irish now have enough players in the class to start doing some ranking and grading. Below are my rankings, grades and analysis for the 2024 offensive commits.
As more players join the class we'll update the rankings and add them to this breakdown.
CLASS RANKING
1. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB - 6-2, 230 - Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
2. Cole Mullins, DE - 6-4, 240 - Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek
3. Brauntae Johnson, S - 6-3, 170 - Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side
4. Leonard Moore, CB - 6-2, 175 - Round Rock (Texas) High School
5. Loghan Thomas, DE - 6-4, 210 - Katy (Texas) Paetow
6. Bodie Kahoun, LB - 6-3, 215 - Roanoke (Va.) Patrick Henry
7. Bryce Young, DE - 6-5, 245 - Charlotte (N.C.) Christian
8. Teddy Rezac, LB - 6-4, 195 - Omaha (Neb.) Westside
9. Kennedy Urlacher, S - 6-1, 180 - Chandler (Ariz.) High School
10. Karson Hobbs, CB - 6-1, 180 - Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller
11. Sean Sevillano Jr., DT - 6-2, 300 - Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International
12. Taebron Bennie-Powell, S - 6-1, 180 - West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West
Here is analysis of each prospect (Note: Comps are about style of play and body comps, not career projections):
1. KYNGSTONN VILIAMU-ASA, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco
Height/Weight: 6-2, 230
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Viliamu-Asa is arguably the best pure inside linebacker in the 2024 class, which makes this a big pickup for the Irish. Although he could thrive at both Mike and Will, I really like the Mike fit in this defense. He's a smooth inside linebacker that can impact the game in three different phases. His short area quickness, instincts, block destruction skills, talking ability and power allow him to dominate the run game, he shows the range and instincts needed to thrive in coverage (especially zone looks), and his explosiveness, timing and ability to get through tight spaces makes him an impact blitzer. Viliamu-Asa has one of the highest floors in the country, and this is despite him missing his sophomore season with an injury. Viliamu-Asa also comes from a winning program and is an ideal fit off the field at Notre Dame.
ND Fit: Notre Dame doesn't view Viliamu-Asa as a pure Mike or Will, they like his ability to play both inside spots, but there's no doubt he is viewed as an inside linebacker in the Irish defense. He has the combination of instincts, physicality, range and tackling ability to be an impact player in the middle of the Irish defense.
Comp: Nick Bolton, Missouri
2. COLE MULLINS, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: Hoschton, Ga./Mill Creek
Height/Weight: 6-4, 240
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Mullins checks in at over 6-4 with well above average length and a strong frame. I can't wait to see him get some time working with Matt Balis, because his game could explode at that point. Mullins is a powerful player already and he plays with a high motor, but he's much more than a high-effort player. Mullins is a strong athlete for the edge, possessing a really quick first step, top-notch closing speed and the combination of agility and lateral movement skills to fit very well at the Vyper position. A 240-pound defender that can flow laterally and close on the football the way Mullins does when he's playing inside linebacker is just not something you see very often. He'll need to shore up his edge technique but this is a talented edge player with a lot of tools.
ND Fit: Mullins has traits that could fit at Vyper or Field End. I actually like his pass rush potential and range as a Vyper, where he can play in a two-point stance and set the edge at a high level, get after the quarterback and effectively drop into coverage. His power and frame could allow him to eventually move to the strong side, where he has the pass rush potential to give that position something it hasn't had in several years.
Comp: Marcus Smith, Louisville
3. BRAUNTAE JOHNSON, SAFETY
Hometown/High School: Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side
Height/Weight: 6-3, 170
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Analysis: Johnson has all the physical traits you want in a modern day safety. He's extremely long, he is fast, he's a smooth and fluid athlete, and although being just 170 pounds he has some good natural strength. As he fills out and adds more weight room strength he'll be an even more effective tackler. Johnson isn't a Top 100 player because of his tackling ability, however, that is because of his top notch athleticism. The Fort Wayne native has exceptional range thanks to his combination of initial burst, long strides and top end speed. He showed all of that off at least year's Irish Invasion and as a wide receiver. Once his technique improves it will combine with his explosiveness and easy change of direction to give him a chance to be a highly disruptive cover player, whether that's playing center field, in man coverage or playing the alleys.
ND Fit: Johnson is an outstanding two-way player for North Side, and he's a more productive wide receiver than he is a safety. He could easily play wideout at the next level, but safety is where his game is ideally suited from an upside and potential standpoint. Johnson has the kind of range and coverage potential that Notre Dame has largely lacked with its safety signees since signing Kyle Hamilton back in 2019.
Comp: Jessie Bates, Wake Forest
4. LEONARD MOORE, CORNERBACK
Hometown/High School: Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock
Height/Weight: 6-2, 175
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens has a very long track record of finding and developing long cornerbacks, and it goes all the way back to his days at Bowling Green and then Cincinnati. Moore certainly fits that mold, possessing both elite height (6-2) and length. The Round Rock standout is a flexible and smooth athlete that changes direction with ease. His ability to plant and drive downhill is outstanding, and his instincts and ball skills are two of his highest graded areas. You want a cornerback that gets his hands on the ball a lot, and Moore certainly does that. Despite being on the thin side, Moore is a willing and effective tackler. As he gets more weight room strength his ability against the run and perimeter screen game will be outstanding.
ND Fit: Moore possesses all the traits needed to thrive in Notre Dame's man coverage defense. His range and tackling ability are great fits for the field cornerback position. His strength, instincts, ball skills and speed potential also fit very well into the boundary position. That ability to play both positions only adds to Moore''s fit at Notre Dame, and his importance in the class. I also wouldn't be shocked if at some point Moore fills out a bit and even gets a shot at safety if the cornerback spots are already filled.
Comp: Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
5. LOGHAN THOMAS, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: Katy, Texas/Paetow
Height/Weight: 6-4, 210
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Thomas has an impressive combination of length-frame-athleticism. He's now measuring in over 6-4, and his 210-pound frame has plenty of room for natural growth. Despite being a thin 200+ pounds as a junior, Thomas shows impressive upper body strength and the ability to hold up and win against much bigger defenders. The burst he shows off the edge stands out, and Thomas shows the athleticism to win on the edge and the closing speed needed to be an impact pass rusher. Once he adds more weight room size and strength and continues to enhance his technique, you'll see Thomas quickly develop into a force on the edge.
ND Fit: Notre Dame wanted and needed a more "true" Vyper in this class. That means an edge player that can do a little bit of everything and can move around the defense a bit. It means a player that can be a pass game disruptor off the edge, a defender that can be stout against boundary side runs, a guy that can drop into coverage, and a player that can play off the ball a bit or rush the passer from different spots.
Comp: Josh Allen, Kentucky
6. BODIE KAHOUN, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry
Height/Weight: 6-3, 220
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber player)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Kahoun has the kind of frame that should allow him to fill out quite nicely. Already listed at 220 pounds, Kahoun should be able to easily get over 230 pounds and add a lot of power, which is why I like his projection to the Mike position. The Patrick Henry star is a smooth all-around athlete that shows good balance, foot quickness and impressive downhill closing speed. His testing numbers are outstanding, and as his technique and feel for the game improves you'll see that speed show more and more. Kahoun spent most of his prep career playing safety, so he's still learning to play the short-area game that linebacker requires, but his range and coverage skills are top notch and are already strengths of his game. Kahoun's combination of size and speed is why Kahoun has such a high upside grade.
ND Fit: Kahoun projects as an inside linebacker for Notre Dame. The Irish staff has mostly talked to him about playing the Will position, but I see him as more of a fit at the Mike position, especially as he adds more size and power as he physically matures. As Kahoun improves his technique and his speed starts to shine more, I could see him being an even better fit at Will, and that is something I'll be looking for in the fall.
Comp: Alex Anzalone, Florida
7. BRYCE YOUNG, DEFENSIVE END
Hometown/High School: Charlotte, N.C./Christian
Height/Weight: 6-5, 245
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 300 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Young has the length/power combination that Notre Dame has clearly coveted since Marcus Freeman arrived back in 2021. The Charlotte Christian star has an elite frame, possessing the potential to add a lot of good weight, and his hand strength and natural power is impressive. Young is still growing into his frame and improving his coordination, but he showed top notch long speed for his size, and when his technique is right he shows a good burst off the edge. Young has all the skills you want in a player that should be dominant against the run, and as his pass rush repertoire improves he should develop into a strong all-around defender.
ND Fit: The combination of length, power and quality athleticism are traits that make his projection to the field end position easy to make. Young currently doesn't have field end mass, but with his tremendous frame that will come in short time, perhaps even before he arrives at Notre Dame. Young will fill out, of that I have no doubt, but possessing the length and natural power is where you start to get excited about what Young will become down the road. It's not completely out of the question that Young even outgrows the edge and ends up inside, but right now I really like the field end projection.
Comp: Chauncey Golson, Iowa
8. TEDDY REZAC, LINEBACKER
Hometown/High School: Omaha, Neb./Westside
Height/Weight: 6-4, 195
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 300 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5
Analysis: Notre Dame wants long athletes on defense and it wants/needs to keep adding more speed on that side of the ball. This young man is very long and he can fly. He's close to 6-4 with long arms and has been reported to run between 4.48 and 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. That speed shows up film as well, with Rezac showing excellent alley speed when he's lined up at safety, and he shows impressive sideline speed and range when playing on the second level. Rezac also flashes outstanding closing speed and he's very comfortable in space, showing impressive change of direction skills. Rezac is a more than willing tackler, but he's quite thin right now and will need to fill out and add more power to be an every down backer.
ND Fit: Rezac is a great fit for the Rover position in the Notre Dame defense. I know the Irish coaches have spoken with him about maybe growing into an inside player, but the Rover spot is perfect for him. He's incredibly comfortable in space and shows the ability to cover a lot of ground in coverage. Rezac also does a good job finding routes as he works into zones and he can run with any back and tight end in coverage.
Comp: Pete Werner, Ohio State
9. KENNEDY URLACHER, SAFETY
Hometown/High School: Chandler, Ariz./Chandler
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 300 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0
Analysis: The first thing you'll see when you look at highlights of Urlacher is his hitting ability. This is a young man that clearly embraces the physical part of the game. Urlacher is a thumper, and it's only going to become an even greater strength as he adds more strength and fills out his frame. The Chandler standout shows well above average speed and ideal foot quickness, which should allow him to make quick transitions as he improves his footwork/technique. Urlacher shows ideal range playing the alleys, and he shows the ability to make quick and decisive reads despite not being an overly experienced player. Urlacher has a lot of room to continue improving and he appears to just be scratching the surface of what he'll end up being on the next level.
ND Fit: Urlacher gives Notre Dame an alley safety that can be a major weapon in the run game, but he also has talent that should allow him to match up against opposing tight ends. Notre Dame likes to use its safeties in an interchangeable manner, and Urlacher has the range to play off the hash as well. The safety position has been a major problem from a tackling standpoint in recent seasons, and Urlacher upgrades that area.
Comp: Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame
10. KARSON HOBBS, CORNERBACK
Hometown/High School: Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0
Analysis: The first thing you notice about Hobbs is he's a bigger cornerback, showing good height and impressive length. As a junior he was used to play a lot more man coverage, which allowed him to use that length much more to his advantage. Hobbs also showed impressive ball skills and a feel for playing routes during his junior season. He is a willing tackler that has a chance to be a force on the perimeter in the run game and screen game as he fills out and gets stronger. The knock of Hobbs, right now, is that he doesn't show top-level athleticism or explosiveness. He's smooth, but his transitions are a bit tight end he doesn't have the big-time speed to make up for it.
ND Fit: It's easy to see why the Notre Dame staff likes Hobbs. He's long, he's physical, he's smart and he has a lot of swagger. With his body type, there is a chance that as he matures and gets older, and gets into the Notre Dame strength program, his explosiveness and speed will take a jump forward. If that happens there's no doubt that Hobbs will tap into his potential and become a key player in the Irish secondary. Hobbs has the physicality to be a boundary corner, and he could even transition to safety down the road.
Comp: Devin Butler, Notre Dame
11. SEAN SEVILLANO JR., DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Hometown/High School: Clearwater, Fla./Academy International
Height/Weight: 6-2, 300
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0
Analysis: Sevillano is an impressively powerful football player. He's extremely weight room strong, and when his technique is right he shows that on the field. His ability to disengage with blockers, and at times even throw them aside, is what stands out the most about his game. Sevillano is a short, stout defensive tackle that projects as a strong two-gap player up the middle. Right now he doesn't play with very good pad level, and that actually prevents his power from dominating to the level it should. When Sevillano learns to play lower off the ball, do a better job working his feet through contact and using his hands better his game could take off. The Clearwater Academy standout shows a good vertical burst when he does stay low, which makes another part of his game that has room for improvement.
ND Fit: There is no doubt the position that Sevillano fits in the Notre Dame defense. Interior players for the Irish have to be able to do a little bit of everything, meaning playing over the center and over the guards, but the nose in the Irish defense is primarily an over the center player. Notre Dame wants and needs players that add more beef, and ideally a player that can not only two-gap, but can also penetrate. Sevillano has the beef that Notre Dame wants and needs more of.
Comp: John Penisini, Utah
12. TAEBRON BENNIE-POWELL, SAFETY
Hometown/High School: West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180
IB Grade: 3.0 (Top 500 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0
Analysis: We haven't seen Bennie-Powell play the position he's projected to play at Notre Dame, but he'll get that chance as a senior. As a rover/outside linebacker, Bennie-Powell showed impressive block destruction tools and tackling ability. His short area quickness and ability to make plays on the ball and get off blocks actually projects quite well at rover, a position he could play for Notre Dame in certain looks. Bennie-Powell shows quality instincts and he makes a number of heady plays on the ball and as a tackler. Despite having a solid 40-yard dash time at Notre Dame's summer camp, Bennie-Powell doesn't show that kind of speed and range on film, and his lateral quickness/change of direction skills aren't fluid.
ND Fit: Bennie-Powell spent his junior season playing more as an outside linebacker than he did a defensive back due to the presence of Minich and Ohio State 2023 safety signee Malik Hartford. His game was all about playing downhill and being an effective run defender and blitzer, and that downhill part of his game is where he will fit into the Notre Dame defense. Bennie-Powell will be making a transition to a deep safety position in 2023 for Lakota West, but I could see him being a rover type of player down the road.
UPSIDE RANKING
1. Brauntae Johnson, S - 5.0
2. Bryce Young, DE - 4.5
3. Logan Thomas, DE - 4.5
4. Cole Mullins, DE - 4.5
5. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB - 4.5
6. Leonard Moore, CB - 4.5
7. Teddy Rezac, LB - 4.5
8. Bodie Kahoun, LB - 4.5
9. Kennedy Urlacher, S - 4.0
10. Karson Hobbs, CB - 4.0
11. Sean Sevillano Jr., DT - 4.0
12. Taebron Bennie-Powell, S - 4.0
GRADE KEY
5.0 - Elite player
4.5 - All-American caliber player
4.0 - Multi-year starter
3.5 - Key role player / Late career-starter
3.0 - Backup
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2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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