A quick run through Notre Dame’s defensive depth chart, led by Benjamin Morrison and Jack Kiser

Notre Dame’s defensive depth chart may remain difficult to nail down into the 2023 season. That is not inherently a bad thing. If the Irish regularly rotate some starters, that will reflect different defensive alignments more than anything else.

Some weeks will require size up front, some will require speed. Some opponents will spread out Notre Dame’s secondary and demand a nickel formation as the base defense, some will welcome a third Irish linebacker.

Beyond that primary 11, differentiating Notre Dame’s starting defensive linemen from its reserves will be somewhat unnecessary because the Irish will rotate them aggressively, partly out of necessity and partly because Notre Dame lacks established stars like Isaiah Foskey and Justin Ademilola.

“I see a collective approach right now, which is awesome,” Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden said last week. “You have veterans coming back … now we need that next generation of guys to step up. …

“We mix the starters every day, every single day. We mix the starting unit every time we go on the field. The guys don’t know who is starting until we announce it that morning. It’s helping with our preparedness, helping with our preparation. It’s a morale booster. You can’t hide what’s on tape. If a guy is not quite ready for the 1s, it works out that way. If somebody is doing well with their opportunity, they should get more reps.”

Keep that in mind when looking at this penciled depth chart. Fifth-year tackle Howard Cross III has likely earned a starting role in Dublin, but any other shuffling would not be shocking.

VYPER END — Senior Jordan Botelho: His 48 snaps against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, with Foskey already preparing for the NFL draft, made it clear