Position:  Defensive Backs

Projected Starter(s):  Terrail Lambert and Raeshon McNeil (CB), David Bruton and Kyle McCarthy (S)

Backups:  Sergio Brown, Ray Herring, Robert Blanton, Gary Gray

2008 Outlook:  The Irish are looking for a solid year out of their secondary unit despite the loss of junior starting cornerback Darrin Walls, who is missing this year for undisclosed personal reasons.  Filling in for Walls is fellow junior Raeshon McNeil, who has played sparingly on defense but is still a very solid player.  Lining up besides McNeil is fifth-year senior Terrail Lambert, who is in his third year starting for Notre Dame.  Lambert has good speed and a lot of experience and is likely playing this year to audition for a future role in the NFL.  At safety, the Irish return their best player in senior David Bruton (left) and Dan McCarthy, a new starter in his senior season.  Bruton is one of the more talented athletes in the country and was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise disappointing season last year.  He is expected to be the leader on defense and have a big year before going to the NFL.  McCarthy is a solid player who probably won’t do anything too flashy like his counterpart but looks to bring a consistent game to the safety position after the Tom Zbikowski era.  He has held his own throughout the spring and preseason and has locked his starting position.

Backing up both safeties is both converted-linebacker Harrison Smith and junior Sergio Brown.  Sergio figures to get a lot of time on defense, whether it is at safety, at the nickel position, or at linebacker, filling in for Smith.  He is a big player with good speed and athleticism and can be just as good as Bruton if everything comes together.  Ray Herring has had some experience in the past and the senior safety also looks to provide quality depth.  Fighting for the dime position is freshman Robert Blanton (right) and sophomore Gary Gray.  Both are young, but terrific prospects who will get the opportunity to play early and often.  Blanton has been one of the surprises in the preseason and has that "nasty" attitude that can get in the opposing wide receivers head.  He could have a big year.  Gray is a very talented athlete that could be starting at other programs.  He will provide excellent depth to a talented secondary.

Grade:  B+.  Even with the absence of Darrin Walls, the Notre Dame secondary might be the most talented and experienced unit the Irish have.  Captain David Bruton is likely going to be a first-day pick and most have him pegged for an All-American caliber season (although I’m sure the voters will take someone from Miami over him).  Kyle McCarthy has paid his dues and will provide a solid presence at the other safety position and should make the plays that ND needs.  The cornerbacks have some experience thrown in with raw talent and it should be interesting to see how that position ends up.  I’m not sure who he would replace in the starting rotation, but don’t be surprised to see Robert Blanton starting at cornerback at the end of the season.  He has really been impressive this camp.  Unfortunately, a lot of a secondary’s success comes from the play of the front four and their ability to rush the quarterback.  The talent might not be there, but the Irish are lucky to have blitz-lover Jon Tenuta up in the booth to help with that dilemma.  We all should be excited to see how good this secondary can be this year.