Former Notre Dame DC Clark Lea Lands Game-Changing Recruit at Vanderbilt
Notre Dame continues to be a breeding ground for coaching talent — especially on the defensive side. Marcus Freeman transitioned from defensive coordinator to head coach, and Al Golden recently made the jump to the NFL as the Cincinnati Bengals’ new DC. Former Irish coordinators have consistently found success at the next level, including Clark Lea, now head coach at Vanderbilt.
Lea is starting to make waves not just on the field but on the recruiting trail. Following a strong 2024 campaign, he scored a major victory by securing a commitment from elite 4-star cornerback Caden Harris on Tuesday. Harris, one of the top players in the 2026 class, is ranked No. 82 overall and is considered one of Tennessee’s top three prospects, per the 247Sports Composite.
Even more impressive? Lea managed to beat out some of college football’s heavyweights — including Notre Dame, his old team — to land Harris. While it seems the Irish weren’t heavily involved late in the process, losing out on a top-tier recruit always stings, especially when it’s to a former assistant.
That said, Notre Dame isn’t hurting on the recruiting front. The Irish wrapped up a successful month by landing highly touted 4-star defensive back Ayden Pouncey, who’s already generating buzz for his playmaking potential.
For now, Notre Dame fans can take pride in seeing a former coach succeed — unless their teams cross paths in the near future.
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