Notre Dame football faced a significant setback on Monday when head coach Marcus Freeman announced that All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison had injured his hip and will be out for the rest of the season. This loss leaves the Irish with minimal depth at the cornerback position as they head into the latter part of the season.
The situation has become dire, especially after Jaden Mickey’s recent decision to redshirt and transfer from the program, further depleting the cornerback ranks. With Morrison sidelined, freshmen Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs are now expected to take on even larger roles, putting more pressure on their inexperience.
Freeman indicated that starting nickel Jordan Clark may need to shift to outside cornerback due to Morrison’s absence. While Clark has excelled in the slot, moving him from a position where he thrives is far from ideal, especially since the team now has only three healthy corners remaining.
Considering Morrison’s potential draft prospects, this injury might mean he has played his final game in a Notre Dame uniform. Many analysts view him as a potential first-round pick, raising the possibility that he could declare for the draft, a scenario that was already anticipated before his injury.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame has an exciting group of defensive backs committed for the class of 2025, but they may also need to explore the transfer portal for additional depth after this season. Mickey’s departure could have resulted in a strong competition for a starting spot next year, and he would have contributed significantly during the season’s second half.
This situation serves as a warning to players considering early transfers, as injuries can arise unexpectedly and may result in missed opportunities.
Injuries have plagued Notre Dame throughout the season, casting a spotlight on the new strength and conditioning director, Loren Landow. The team has already lost both Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore for the season, leaving them short on edge rushers, in addition to losing two starting offensive linemen and several backups. While Freeman previously praised the team’s health during fall camp, they have since become a virtual injury ward as the season progresses.