Irish Eyes on Another Freshman Cornerback Making Noise This Springs as spring practices heat up in South Bend, one name keeps popping up in conversations around the Notre Dame football program — a new face, but one already making a big impact. Freshman cornerback Marcus “MJ” Rawlins has quickly earned the attention of coaches, teammates, and fans alike, and “Irish Eyes” are locked in on what could be the next big star in the secondary.It’s not every spring that a true freshman steals headlines, especially in a defensive backfield already loaded with returning talent. But Rawlins isn’t your average freshman. Coming out of Texas as a four-star recruit with elite speed and a physical edge that belies his age, he arrived on campus with confidence and a chip on his shoulder. And from the very first practice, it’s been obvious he’s not here to wait his turn — he’s here to compete.Standing at 6’0″, 185 pounds, Rawlins combines ideal size with fluid hips and natural ball-hawking instincts. During early spring sessions, he’s already recorded multiple interceptions, broken up several key passes, and shown a knack for reading quarterbacks like a seasoned veteran. According to defensive coordinator Al Golden, “He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He sees the game differently — faster. You can’t teach that.”Veteran cornerbacks have taken notice, too. Junior Benjamin Morrison, who knows what it’s like to start as a freshman, praised Rawlins’ maturity and drive. “He asks questions. He studies tape. He’s got no ego, just wants to get better every day. That’s dangerous in a good way.”While Rawlins is still learning the nuances of Notre Dame’s complex defensive schemes, his raw talent has allowed him to shine through reps with both the second team and occasional stints with the ones. The staff hasn’t officially confirmed any depth chart shifts, but sources close to the program hint that if Rawlins keeps up this pace, he could force his way into serious rotation by the time fall rolls around.Head coach Marcus Freeman, himself a former defensive back, has been particularly high on the freshman. “He reminds me of some of the great ones we’ve had come through here,” Freeman said after a recent practice. “He’s coachable, he’s explosive, and he doesn’t back down from a challenge.”That attitude was on full display during a heated scrimmage last week, when Rawlins matched up against one of Notre Dame’s top wideouts and held his own — even breaking up a crucial third-down pass in red zone drills. It was the kind of moment that signals not just talent, but trust. Trust from the staff to put a freshman in that situation. Trust from teammates to know he’ll make the play.Of course, spring standouts don’t always translate into fall starters. But Rawlins has done more than just flash potential — he’s consistently shown it. For a program with College Football Playoff aspirations, depth in the secondary is crucial. And it looks like they may have struck gold with another freshman corner who’s not just making noise, but making a name for himself.Keep your Irish eyes on Marcus Rawlins. You might be looking at the next big thing in South Bend.
