From walk-on to impact player, Luke Talich aims for a career-defining final season, excelling on defense and special teams.
We've talked a lot this offseason about the high level of talent on Notre Dame's roster. This is a Top 5 roster in all of college football and it isn't fifth, but this is also a relatively young roster. Very few players will have exhausted their eligibility after the 2026 season.
One of the players who will is safety Luke Talich who has worked his way from walk-on to impact player on the Notre Dame defense. The last two seasons, Talich has made his presence felt on special teams and on the defensive side of the ball. Now, going into the final year of his eligibility, Talich looks to take on final jump.
"I came here as a walk-on," Talich explained. "I didn't really expect much. I came in feeling like I had to earn a role, I earned a spot and I did my freshman year. I was able to earn a scholarship, but it's been a wild ride. I didn't foresee any of it happening. There was never a path for me to play at Notre Dame."
"But I feel like, through consistency and just doing my job and trying to help the team as much as possible, I've earned a role and earned trust with the coaches, the program and the players," Talich continued. "I'm forever grateful for this place, forever grateful for the people here. But the journey is not done yet. We got another year, but I'm really excited for this year to finish out my career here at Notre Dame."
The 6-4, 222-pound Wyoming native is going through his final spring in South Bend and is taking advantage of every rep in practice to get better every day. Last season, he was an integral member of Notre Dame's four-man safety rotation. The work he's putting in this offseason has made him a more well-rounded safety, and he's even playing a little linebacker due to the injuries in the linebacker room.
"I think this spring I'm focusing on learning a bunch of different positions," Talich shared. "I've been playing Sam linebacker, playing Dime, which is kind of like Will linebacker and playing safety, obviously, both sides. I'm working to understand the defense in and out. I'm getting used to all those positions, and trying different things has definitely been my focus. And then, obviously, hone in on the details with my eye level, my eyes and things like that."
As important as Talich is to the defensive side of the ball, he's arguably more important on Notre Dame's special team's unit. That's where the Wyoming native made a name for himself and a side of the ball that he plays with immense pride. Now, Talich is one of the leaders of Marty Biagi's special team's units and he's looking to dominate in that role in 2026.
"Special team is definitely part of my identity," Talich explained. "I love helping the team win in any way I can; I love special teams. It's a part of the game that's not talked about a ton. As far as elevating, continuing to lead that group, leading the different roles that I'm in on the special teams, whether it's SWAT or kickoff. So, just leading those guys and just doing whatever I'm asked to do and bringing other guys with me."
A lot of the attention this offseason has been around quarterback CJ Carr and cornerback Leonard Moore for obvious reasons. But you need players like Talich on championship caliber rosters the same way you need a returning starting quarterback or the same way you need the No. 1 cornerback in the country. Talich is gearing up for one final ride in the blue and gold, and if this team is what we think it can be, it's going to be a heck of a final ride.
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