Boasting an All-American anchor and high-impact transfers, the Notre Dame secondary looks to sustain its elite status as fierce competitions for starting roles heat up this fall.
Notre Dame has put one of the nation's best cornerback groups on the field in each of the last four seasons, and expectations are that it will continue in 2026. Notre Dame returns all of its cornerback depth chart from 2025 and also added two new transfers and three true freshmen. The group has loads of experience and talent.
We are close to wrapping up our post-spring Notre Dame depth chart, with the focus now on the Irish cornerbacks.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
DJ McKinney (Colorado) - 35 tackles, 1 INT, 1 break ups
Leonard Moore - 31 tackles, 5 INT, 7 break ups, 1 FF
Jayden Sanders (Michigan) - 23 tackles, 1 break up
Dallas Golden - 22 tackles, 1 INT, 1 break ups
Christian Gray - 17 tackles, 2 INT, 11 break ups
Mark Zackery IV - 10 tackles, 2 break ups
BIG TIME VETERANS RETURN
Notre Dame returns the nation's best cornerback in Leonard Moore, who was a unanimous All-American last season. There's no doubt that Moore returns to the starting lineup, but there is a question about how will he be used. Does the performance against USC, when he shadowed and locked down Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon, result in Notre Dame using him a bit differently this season? We'll see.
Notre Dame also returns Christian Gray, who is likely going to complete his shift inside to the slot over the summer and in fall camp. Moore and Gray were the only cornerback duo last season that finished in the Top 10 nationally in passes defensed per game, with Gray ranking 5th and Moore ranking 8th. Gray spent the spring playing in the slot, and the expectation is that he will take over that role full time this spring.
WHO STARTS OPPOSITE MOORE?
The biggest question right now is who starts opposite Moore as the field cornerback. Colorado transfer DJ McKinney was brought in to man that job after starting the last two seasons for the Buffaloes. He was outstanding in 2024 playing opposite Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, but injuries slowed him down a bit last season. He's healthy now and the expectation is that he'll step into the starting role.
SOPHOMORE STANDOUTS
McKinney will have to prove himself if he's going to start, because a trio of talented sophomores will be pushing for that role. Dallas Golden was outstanding in spring before going out with a back injury. He made three starts in the slot last season and I project him right now as the No. 2 slot on the depth chart, but if he picks up where he left off in spring he could definitely earn a starting job, either in the slot with Gray moving back outside, or with Golden going outside.
Mark Zackery IV was the starter at field cornerback this spring after Golden went down. He got off to a slow start, much like he did in 2025, but he finished strong, also like he did in 2025. He still needs to add strength, but Zackery is talented and a natural cover player. He'll be a factor this season. That is also true for Jayden Sanders, the transfer from Michigan that spent time this spring playing field, boundary and slot. Sanders could be the "next man in" at multiple positions. He's listed at boundary now, but he's a contender at all three corner spots.
FRESHMAN CLASS READY TO SHINE
Notre Dame landed arguably the top group of freshman corners in the country in the 2026 class. Ayden Pouncey has a strong spring and could be a factor if he continues making play. The key for him will be consistency and adding strength. Classmate Chas Smith is a year away from being a contributor, but he flashed impressed length and talent this spring.
The wildcard is Khary Adams, a five-star signee that missed the spring after having offseason surgery on his shoulder. Adams fits the boundary mold perfectly, possessing elite length, athleticism and speed for the position. He missed some development time this spring, but if he's healthy and can get caught up to speed he'll make a hard charge up the depth chart as he and others battle for the role of heir apparent to Moore.
PAST DEPTH CHARTS
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