Notre Dame Football Prospects to Watch on Defense

Notre Dame entered the 2024 college football season as a preseason top-10 team in the country.

After a week one win on the road in College Station over a ranked Texas A&M team, the Fighting Irish have moved up to No. 5 in the most recent AP Poll.

A big reason for the lofty preseason expectations for Notre Dame, as well as the big season opening win over Texas A&M, is the talent on the defensive side of the ball this season in South Bend. The Fighting Irish boast one of the most talented defensive units in the entire country and are led by several guys that should hear their names called in the first couple of rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s talented defense, filled with plenty of future pros. 

Let Draft Nation detail the 2025 NFL Draft prospects on the defensive side of the ball to keep an eye on this season for Notre Dame:

Benjamin Morrison – Cornerback

One of the most feared cornerbacks in the nation, Benjamin Morrison had just two tackles and a pass breakup in the season opener. That’s largely because Texas A&M refused to look his way throughout a majority of the week one clash.

A likely day-one starter at the NFL level, Morrison is a lock down cornerback with off the charts athleticism, elite ball skills and a high football IQ. Morrison had nine interceptions through his first two seasons of college football and is also young for his class.

A proven leader both on and off the field for the Fighting Irish, Morrison likely won’t have to wait long to hear his name called next year in Green Bay at the draft. Morrison has all the tools to eventually become a perennial All-Pro defensive back, and he could end up being the first cornerback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Xavier Watts – Safety

Another member of the Fighting Irish secondary, Xavier Watts was playing wide receiver not too long ago. Now he projects as one of the first handful of safeties to come off the board at next year’s selection process.

Watts registered three tackles in the season opener against the Aggies, collecting his first interception of the year as well. A season ago, Watts led the country with seven interceptions, showcasing his elite playmaking ability at the safety spot. 

A versatile defensive back, one of the things holding Watts back from being a surefire first round pick is his limited experience playing safety at the collegiate level. This season, Watts has an opportunity to dispel those concerns with another season full of big plays at the position.

Howard Cross III – Defensive Tackle

Howard Cross could play himself into first round consideration with a strong 2024 season. The interior defensive lineman is a high-motor guy along the Fighting Irish’s defensive front. Cross possesses great quickness and advanced hands that allows him to get into the opposition backfield with ease. That was on full display in Notre Dame’s opener against Texas A&M, where Cross tallied both a sack and a tackle for loss.

Because Cross is undersized—he’s listed at 6-foot-1 and 288 pounds—some teams could be turned away from the high-energy defensive tackle. However, given his non-stop motor and position versatility along the defensive line, Cross likely won’t stay on the board for too long on day two of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Rylie Mills – Defensive Tackle

Elsewhere on the interior of the defensive line, Rylie Mills is a skilled and speedy interior pass rusher. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, Mills has clocked a 40-yard dash time in around 4.80 seconds.

Along with that speed and athleticism, Mills has experience playing in multiple different techniques along the line. Throughout his collegiate career, Mills has shown an ability to get to the quarterback. It’s in the run stopping department that Mills has struggled. At times, he’s had trouble using his hands and disengaging from blocks.

Where Mills ends up getting selected at next year’s draft will likely depend on how teams view his athletic upside. Mills will most likely come off the board at some point in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

R.J. Oben – Defensive End

Edge rusher R.J. Oben doesn’t jump off the page athletically. Standing 6-foot-3 and 262 pounds, Oben isn’t overly quick or athletic, however, it’s hard to argue with the Duke transfer’s proven production at the college level.

In three straight seasons with the Blue Devils, Oben tallied more than 4.5 sacks in each of them, including a 9.5 sack season just a year ago in 2023. A season ago, Oben also forced five fumbles while recording 18 quarterback hurries. Despite not possessing elite athleticism, it’s hard to argue with that type of production from an edge rusher.

Oben will have to get faster to be a key contributor at the next level but based on what he’s done throughout his college career, he’ll likely be a mid-round selection at next year’s draft.

Jack Kiser – Linebacker

Indiana native Jack Kiser doesn’t have the elite athleticism that many of today’s NFL linebackers possess. However, Kiser’s ability to stop the run and his consistent and proven production over the span of the last couple of years, will have plenty of NFL teams interested.

Kiser projects as a high-floor player, who doesn’t necessarily have the same upside as some other 2025 NFL Draft prospects. That’s in large part due to 6-foot-2 and 231-pound frame and his limited athletic ability.

Between his high football IQ, next-level instincts and innate ability to disrupt the run game, Kiser is likely to be a day three selection at next year’s draft.