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Notre Dame’s true freshman safety named a Midseason All-American
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- Notre Dame’s true freshman safety named a Midseason All-American
Joey O'Brien has shown how well he can handle the safety position as part of arguably the best secondary in the country for US LBM Coaches Poll No. 8 Notre Dame .
On Thursday, O'Brien was named a True Freshman Midseason All-American by 247Sports. Through five games so far for the Fighting Irish , the freshman standout has 10 tackles, a sack and a pass break-up.
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
7
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
O'Brien is one of many anchors in Notre Dame secondary that is top-ranked in the nation. Overall, the Irish's defense has allowed just 214 yards a game and 4.08 yards per play.
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Notre Dame is also fourth in scoring defense with 11 points allowed per game.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame's true freshman safety named a Midseason All-American
