Notre Dame has some elite true freshmen who could push for defensive playing time heading into the 2026 CFB season

Are there any Notre Dame freshmen that could impact the Irish defense in 2026? Keep a close eye on three talented youngsters.

Notre Dame football enters the 2026 college football season with one of the most talented defenses in the country.

With a loaded depth chart of returning veterans and key transfer portal additions, head coach Marcus Freeman and defensive coordinator Chris Ash have the pieces to field an elite unit. The Fighting Irish added Francis Brewu, Tionne Gray, Keon Keeley, and cornerback DJ McKinney through the portal, creating a roster with serious depth at every level.

That depth makes it harder for younger players to crack the rotation, but the 2026 true freshman class is talented enough to force the conversation. Here are three freshmen who could carve out a defensive role this season.

EDGE Rodney Dunham

The most obvious name is former five-star defensive end Rodney Dunham. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound pass rusher made a massive impression on the staff this offseason, positioning himself to play a high volume of snaps in 2026.

Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young return as starters at defensive end, while Keeley is expected to compete for playing time alongside Young. The true backup to Traore, however, remains unclear. Loghan Thomas has struggled to maintain weight, and there is no proven production behind Traore on the depth chart. That opens the door for Dunham.

His explosiveness, bend, length, and closing speed are arguably the best on the entire roster. Even if his initial role is as a designated pass rusher in obvious passing situations, Notre Dame cannot afford to keep that kind of athlete off the field. I expect Dunham to force his way into the rotation, and I would not be shocked if he becomes the most productive pass rusher behind Traore this season.

CB Khary Adams

Adams is a talented young cornerback who has the tools to push for meaningful snaps, though I would stop short of predicting him to be a true difference maker as a freshman. He dealt with an injury earlier this offseason but is expected to be fully healthy when fall camp begins.

At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, Adams argues with the most talented cover man on the roster outside of Leonard Moore. Notre Dame enters 2026 with three veteran cornerbacks, including the nickel position, in Moore, McKinney, and Christian Gray. After the season, the Fighting Irish will most likely need to completely overhaul that cornerback room unless Gray opts to return for a fifth year of eligibility.

That reality makes Adams’ development critical. Can he fight to become the primary backup at either the boundary or field cornerback spots?

He has the talent, the requisite athleticism, and he has gotten stronger this offseason. Getting Adams into the rotation now would go a long way toward preparing him to potentially start in 2027.

S Joey O’Brien

Like Adams, Notre Dame does not need freshman safety Joey O’Brien to make a huge impact this season. Tae Johnson and Adon Shuler return as the starting safeties, with Luke Talich and Ethan Long also on the depth chart.

There is a chance, however, that both Johnson and Shuler could leave for the NFL after 2026. Getting younger safeties into parts of the rotation now would allow Notre Dame to get ahead of the curve. O’Brien, a massive safety at 6-foot-5 and 203 pounds, dealt with a minor lower body injury this offseason but is ready for fall camp.

Can he eventually become the main backup at either safety spot, whether in the boundary behind Shuler or the field behind Johnson?

That question does not have an answer yet, but the proposition of getting that length and overall athleticism onto the field is compelling. Outside of Dunham, O’Brien is competing with Adams to be the other true freshman who could make an impact on this defense.

Notre Dame’s 2026 defense has the talent to be special, and the depth makes it difficult for freshmen to see the field. Dunham appears to be the one true freshman who will force his way into the rotation from day one. Adams and O’Brien may need more time, but their development this season could determine the trajectory of the Fighting Irish defense for years to come.

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