Three things I like about Notre Dame DB Tae Johnson

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 18: Tae Johnson #9 of the University of Notre Dame concentrates on the snap during a game between University of Southern California and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on October 18, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images We live in a college football world of lists, rankings, and countdowns. Many players on Notre Dame’s roster have been talked about and written about over the last few months — so let’s fall in line.

This will be my official Top 20 Notre Dame Football Players ranking. I will unveil each player, and list the three things I like about them. It seems simple enough, but I have no doubt that some of these ratings will be highly criticized, but you can always share your thoughts in the comments below.

#9 Tae Johnson DBFort Wayne is hereAs I’ve mentioned many many times over the last 20 years, Notre Dame should ABSOLUTELY be getting the best talent that Fort Wayne has to offer. The big surprise about Johnson, is that he isn’t from Bishop Luers or Bishop Dwenger – he’s from North Side High School. I can’t remmeber the last time Notre Dame had a player from that high school, but it was either forever ago or never.

Regardless of the relationships Johnson had with people with ND ties, early on in his recruitment, he was a prospect that I thought was destined to be somewhere else – thank the football gods I was wrong.𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠:When Tae “Tae Tae” Johnson first arrived at Notre Dame, he said it was a shock — “There's not a lot of people like me there.” He finds comfort in Marcus Freeman.

“He talks to me about stuff other than football. He reminds me how important education is. At…

pic.twitter.com/e4e75g5tMV— CathVSConf☘️ (@CathVSConf) May 6, 2026The tradition continuesNotre Dame has put together one of the best safety traditions in all of college football over the last decade.

To be fair, they’ve had a number of great college safeties for much