Three Notre Dame football players who stood out in spring scrimmage: Defense
Three Notre Dame Football Players Who Stood Out in Spring Scrimmage: Defense
Spring football is a time for college football programs to evaluate their rosters, develop younger players, and refine their strategies heading into the fall season. For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the spring scrimmage offers an invaluable opportunity to assess the talent on both sides of the ball, particularly for younger players trying to break into the rotation or for veterans looking to solidify their roles.
While the offense has certainly garnered attention in recent years due to the development of their quarterback situation and the talent at the skill positions, the Notre Dame defense has historically been a cornerstone of the program’s identity. Heading into the 2025 season, the Irish defense is expected to play a pivotal role once again as they continue to develop and refine their scheme under defensive coordinator Al Golden.
During the spring scrimmage, several defensive players stood out, demonstrating their skills and establishing themselves as potential difference-makers for the Irish in the upcoming season. Whether it was through standout performances in the secondary, explosive plays on the defensive line, or leadership in the linebacker corps, these players showed that Notre Dame’s defense will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
In this article, we will highlight three Notre Dame defensive players who shined during the spring scrimmage, diving into their individual performances, their impact on the defense, and what they can bring to the table as the Irish prepare for the 2025 season.
1. Jaylen Sneed – Linebacker
As a sophomore linebacker in 2024, Jaylen Sneed made waves with his athleticism, playmaking ability, and leadership. However, it was during the spring scrimmage that Sneed truly solidified his status as one of the most promising young linebackers in the nation. His performance throughout the scrimmage showcased not only his raw talent but also his ability to read plays, cover ground quickly, and make crucial tackles at critical moments.
Key Plays and Performance
Sneed’s most noticeable trait is his sideline-to-sideline speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground and be a factor in both run support and pass coverage. During the spring scrimmage, Sneed was everywhere on the field, showing his versatility as an inside linebacker. He was involved in multiple tackles for loss, particularly against the run, where he showcased his ability to track ball carriers and bring them down behind the line of scrimmage. His quickness to diagnose plays and take proper angles was impressive, allowing him to disrupt the opposing offense consistently.
Perhaps the most notable play from Sneed came when he intercepted a pass intended for a running back on a screen play, showing his ability to stay aware of the quarterback’s intentions and read the offensive line’s movements. The interception was a testament to Sneed’s growing football IQ and his ability to play with anticipation and understanding of the offensive scheme.
In coverage, Sneed also showed excellent hands and a high level of comfort when matching up against tight ends and running backs in space. His ability to cover sideline routes and read the quarterback’s eyes made him an even more dynamic threat. This versatility, which allows him to contribute in both the running game and in coverage, will make him one of the Irish’s most critical defensive players in 2025.
Impact on Notre Dame’s Defense
Sneed’s performance in the spring scrimmage further solidified his role as a starting linebacker for the Irish defense. His ability to make plays in both the run game and the passing game is something that Notre Dame’s defense has lacked in recent years, and Sneed’s versatility could be the key to elevating the defense as a whole.
As Notre Dame aims to improve its defense against both the pass and the run, Sneed’s dynamic presence in the middle of the field will be crucial. His ability to diagnose plays quickly, shed blockers, and make plays in space will allow defensive coordinator Al Golden to be more aggressive with his schemes, potentially utilizing Sneed in more blitz packages or coverage responsibilities depending on the matchup.
In the upcoming season, Sneed could emerge as one of the Irish’s top defensive playmakers, helping to solidify the linebacker corps alongside veterans and giving them the versatility to adapt to various offensive schemes.
2. Benjamin Morrison – Cornerback
One of the standout performers from the Notre Dame spring scrimmage was Benjamin Morrison, a talented sophomore cornerback who showed he is ready to take the next step in his development. Morrison, who was a significant contributor as a true freshman in 2024, looked poised to become one of the top cornerbacks in the country after his impressive showing in the scrimmage.
Key Plays and Performance
Morrison’s biggest strength is his ability to lock down wide receivers in man-to-man coverage. Throughout the spring scrimmage, he displayed excellent technique and footwork, which allowed him to shadow receivers and limit their production. His quickness and ability to adjust to the receiver’s route were evident, as he kept wideouts from gaining separation and forced multiple incompletions.
Perhaps Morrison’s most impressive play came when he intercepted a deep pass that was intended for the Irish’s top wide receiver, showcasing his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and jump the route. Morrison’s anticipation and ability to get his hands on the ball in critical situations proved his value as a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. The interception also demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, as the pass came in a key moment of the scrimmage when the offense was attempting to generate some momentum.
In addition to his ball skills, Morrison’s tackling and run support were also standout features of his game in the spring scrimmage. He was quick to come up in run support and showed no hesitation in making tackles on outside runs, demonstrating his physicality as a cornerback. His willingness to contribute in all phases of the game — whether it be in coverage, run support, or ball hawking — makes him a highly valuable asset for the Irish defense.
Impact on Notre Dame’s Defense
Morrison’s standout performance in the spring scrimmage solidified his place as one of the starting cornerbacks for Notre Dame’s defense heading into the 2025 season. His skills as a shutdown corner will be critical for the Irish, especially when they face high-powered passing offenses in the ACC and independent schedules. With Morrison locking down one side of the field, the Irish will have more flexibility in their defensive schemes, allowing them to shift coverage to other areas of the field or blitz with more confidence.
Morrison’s ability to cover top-tier wide receivers without help over the top will be a huge asset for defensive coordinator Al Golden. With a proven playmaker like Morrison in the secondary, Notre Dame can focus on other areas of the defense while knowing that they have a lockdown corner who can handle the opposing offense’s best receiver.
As Morrison continues to develop, he could evolve into one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, further strengthening the Irish defense as they look to compete for a College Football Playoff spot.
3. Rylie Mills – Defensive Tackle
A key figure in the Notre Dame defensive front, Rylie Mills had an outstanding performance during the spring scrimmage, showing why he is one of the most highly regarded defensive tackles in the country. Mills, a 6’5”, 310-pound junior, has long been considered a potential breakout star for the Irish, and his spring scrimmage performance confirmed that he is ready to take his game to the next level.
Key Plays and Performance
Mills’ presence in the trenches was dominant throughout the scrimmage. He was a constant force against the offensive line, wreaking havoc in the backfield and providing pressure on the quarterback. Mills tallied multiple tackles for loss and was disruptive in the running game, quickly shedding blocks and making plays in the backfield. His ability to clog running lanes and collapse the pocket made it clear that he will be a key part of the defensive line rotation in 2025.
Mills’ standout play came when he sacked the quarterback during a critical third-down situation, forcing the offense to punt. His ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, even without blitzes, showcased his pass-rushing prowess and his ability to change the game from the interior defensive line position.
Additionally, Mills’ ability to disrupt the offensive line’s rhythm was evident in the way he was able to get his hands up in passing lanes, batting down passes and forcing the quarterback to make hurried decisions. His physicality and overall impact on the scrimmage demonstrate that Mills is ready to be one of the top defensive linemen for the Irish in the upcoming season.
Impact on Notre Dame’s Defense
Mills’ performance in the spring scrimmage solidified his role as a starting defensive tackle for the Irish in 2025. As a player who can generate pressure from the interior of the line and disrupt both the run and passing game, Mills will be a pivotal part of the defensive line rotation. His ability to take on double-teams and free up space for edge rushers will be critical as Notre Dame seeks to build a dominant defensive front.
Mills’ leadership and experience on the line will also be invaluable for the Irish. As one of the most experienced members of the defensive front, Mills will be expected to set the tone and help develop the younger defensive linemen. With Rylie Mills in the middle of the line, the Irish defense will have a dynamic and imposing force to build around.
