No. 4 Notre Dame Missing Starting Cornerback for No. 1 Miami Hurricanes Week

MIAMI, Fla. – Before the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes travel to South Bend, Indiana, for a prime-time matchup against No. 4 Notre Dame, Fighting Irish's cornerback DJ McKinney is set to miss the rivalry clash on Saturday night.

Head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed the fifth-year veteran will miss "an extended period," with the potential to return in the College Football Playoffs.

McKinney suffered an ankle injury in the 28-24 loss to BYU on Oct. 17, which was one of several upsets that college football experienced that weekend. McKinney had started in every game this season until missing last Saturday's 35-13 win over Navy at Annapolis, Maryland, in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. He had held opposing quarterbacks to seven-of-13 passing when targeted for 6.3 yards per attempt.

McKinney hadn't given up a touchdown this season. He logged nine total tackles, six solos and three assists, a tackle for loss, and a 55-yard interception, which resulted in a pick-six in the season opener against Wisconsin on Sept. 6. McKinney played a meaningful role in Notre Dame's secondary, which ranks sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total passing yards allowed:

- 119 of 194 oppossing passes completed

- 1,207 total passing yards allowed

- Eight opposing passing touchdown allowed

- 150.9 passing yards allowed on average through eight games

Without McKinney to face a Hurricanes' scoring offense, which ranks first in FBS, averaging 47.6 points this season, it presents a challenge to the Fighting Irish's defensive back depth chart. After exiting the Cougars matchup early, sophomore Jayden Sanders stepped in. He then grabbed a collegiate career first interception early in the fourth quarter.

Sanders will likely start in McKinney's place at cornerback, which would be the 19-year-old's fourth time playing in an expanded role. He will look to be disruptive in the passing game; meanwhile, All-American Leonard Moore is projected to cover rising star Malachi Toney.

McKinney transferred to the famously independent program following two seasons at Colorado with head coach Deion "Prime Time" Sanders. He put together a combined 97 total tackles, 71 solos and 26 assists, four tackles for loss, and four interceptions, including a pick-six, in 22 total games (all starts). McKinney's collegiate career started at Oklahoma State coming from Colleyville Heritage High School as a three-star top-70 cornerback recruit.

It's a significantly missed opportunity to be sidelined for a prime-time matchup, which will have the eyes of several college football fans and potentially NFL scouts and executives.

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