Those asked to make the transition from wideout to cornerback often enjoy speed bumps in their path to snaps—this includes even the most highly-touted prep athletes. For some, the journey is grueling, and sometimes an internal disappointment toward their initial individual goals. For others, the move comes with few hiccups and further expands a skill set. That’s where we come face to face with Notre Dame standout corner Cam Hart.

A former pass-catcher at Good Counsel High School in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland, 2023 represents year five in South Bend for one of the country’s premier perimeter stalwarts. A blend of length, instincts, and a fifth gear unmatched by many in the nation when attacking downhill, his best play could come in his last campaign for the Fighting Irish this fall.

While this season will see evaluators flock to Notre Dame stadium to gaze upon the future first-rounder in offensive tackle Joe Alt and an early glimpse at 2025 draft-eligible corner Benjamin Morrison, microscoping Hart’s game could see he and Morrison evolve into the nation’s premier corner tandem.

A scheme-versatile athlete whose athletic intangibles showcase an explosive and fluid perimeter defender, Hart can play both press and off-man. His footwork and body positioning put him in a position to win consistently. In space, Hart’s background as a wideout pops. He can cover ground in an instant and will showcase another gear when working downhill. Hart is smooth when he’s asked to play with his back to the sideline and has clean enough technique to align with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage, his blend of patience, athleticism, and maturity at the position has resulted in one of the cleanest evaluations so far as we approach the meat of the summer months.

While player profiles change, athletes get bigger, faster, and stronger each and every year, one thing has remained the same: You can never have enough athletes that understand how to cover. As pass-happy as the NFL has become in wanting to dissect teams via the air, players like Hart make jobs just that much easier on defensive coordinators and is someone who will serve as a critical piece within the Irish secondary if they eye their first trip to the CFP under Marcus Freeman.