The back line of Notre Dame’s defense needs depth, and the Friday commitment of former Oklahoma State safety Thomas Harper is a needed step toward finding it.
The graduate transfer has one season of eligibility remaining, one granted by the universal pandemic eligibility waiver. Harper began the season as the starting safety for the Cowboys before a lower-body injury cut short his season. He finished with 30 tackles in seven games, including 1.5 for loss.
In his career, Harper has 93 total tackles with five for loss, two interceptions and six passes broken up in 36 career games.
Much of his coverage work has come in the slot, where Notre Dame has more depth but adding Harper could create flexibility. At nickel back, the Irish can turn to rising sophomore Jaden Mickey, otherwise the third or fourth cornerback behind classmate Benjamin Morrison, veteran Cam Hart and perhaps rising senior Clarence Lewis.
At safety, Notre Dame can currently count on only rising seniors Ramon Henderson and Xavier Watts. Brandon Joseph has declared for the NFL draft, and the Irish yet await DJ Brown’s decision about a possible sixth season. Otherwise, the only returning name on the depth chart is rising junior Justin Walters with four career tackles.
☘️#Goirish pic.twitter.com/MhaqoVxKhO
— Thomas Harper (@IamThomasHarper) January 6, 2023
In addition to the depth and experience, Harper should also bring a physicality to Notre Dame’s secondary. That is part of why he has played so much slot in his career, quick enough at 5-foot-11 to keep up with faster receivers but strong enough at 180 pounds to be a presence against the run.
TRANSFERRED OUT TO DATE
QB Drew Pyne (Arizona State)DL Osi EkwonuTE Cane Berrong
TRANSFERRED IN TO DATE
QB Sam Hartman (Wake Forest)WR Kaleb Smith (Virginia Tech)S Thomas Harper (Oklahoma State)K Spencer Shrader (South Florida)
HEADING TO THE NFL WITH REMAINING ELIGIBILITY
TE Michael MayerOL Jarrett PattersonDE Isaiah FoskeyDE Justin AdemilolaS Brandon Joseph
RETIRED WITH REMAINING ELIGIBILITY
WR Braden Lenzy
RETURNING
LS Michael VinsonWR Matt Salerno