Notre Dame secondary taking shape as Irish embrace ‘5 to 6 seconds of hell’

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame’s defense has no shortage of talent but the challenge this fall is turning that talent into one connected unit.

That process became a little clearer Saturday as the Irish put on pads for the first time during fall camp and opened a portion of practice with 11-on-11 work.

One notable development came on offense, where freshman quarterback Teddy Jarrard handled second-team reps. On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s secondary continued to take shape behind a mix of established veterans, emerging stars and newcomers competing for significant roles.

Senior defensive back Christian Gray is among the players expected to anchor the group. Looking back on his first three years at Notre Dame, Gray described his journey as anything but easy.

“It’s a bumpy road. It’s a bumpy road, just like life, I ain’t going to lie to you,” Gray said. “There’s some ups and downs in it, and that’s what it’s been. But I just keep going up every day, every year, every second. That’s what life’s about and what football is about too.”

Defensive backs coach Aaron Henry believes Gray’s versatility makes him especially valuable within defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s system. Henry described Gray as a blend of linebacker, cornerback and safety, combining physicality with the football intelligence needed to line up in different spots and handle multiple responsibilities.

Then there is Leonard Moore. Moore has already established himself as one of the biggest names in Notre Dame’s secondary, but Henry has no interest in letting him get comfortable.

Henry said when “Leonard Moore is Leonard Moore,” the junior can be special, even comparing parts of his game to Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The coaching staff continues to push Moore to raise his standard, something Moore has embraced throughout camp.

His influence is also beginning to show on some of the newest members of the defense. Transfer defensive back DJ McKinney said his football IQ has grown significantly since arriving at Notre Dame. He credited Moore for helping accelerate that development and described Ash as a “defensive genius.”

Henry has been just as impressed with McKinney. He called the transfer gifted, highly intelligent and a “sponge,” pointing to the extra work McKinney has put in behind the scenes. Henry said McKinney routinely arrives early to meetings, asks questions and searches for ways to better understand the defense. That mindset fits the identity Notre Dame is trying to establish.

“We try to create as much confusion and chaos as possible in terms of pre-snap looks, in terms of bringing guys off the edge,” Henry said. “Coach Ash has been speaking a lot about creating five to six seconds of hell. Just five to six seconds of hell.”

But Henry believes building that type of defense requires chemistry away from the field, too. He said the defensive backs’ bond has grown “exponentially” this offseason. Henry even invited the entire position group to his home to spend time with his wife and daughters, giving the players another opportunity to connect outside the football facility.

Now, as Notre Dame moves deeper into fall camp, Henry and the Irish are hoping that closeness translates to the field.