La Salle College High School graduate Joey O’Brien started his first game for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 26 against Purdue.

The freshman safety started after injuries sidelined safeties Luke Talich and Brauntae Johnson. During the Purdue game, O’Brien made four assisted tackles, one solo tackle, and a half sack.

O’Brien has played in every game thus far this season. Below are his stats thus far from Notre Dame’s website:

vs WISCONSIN (9/6): Made his collegiate debut in the win… played both on defense and special teams… part of a defense that held Wisconsin to just 67 rushing yards on 2.2 yards per carry

RICE (9/12): Saw action in the win… posted two assisted tackles… part of a defense that allowed just 128 total yards

MICHIGAN STATE (9/19): Saw playing time in the win… logged an assisted tackle… part of a defense that allowed zero second-half rushing yards

at PURDUE (9/26): Made first career start at safety… posted five tackles (one solo)… added first career half sack… part of a defense that registered six sacks and allowed just 40 rushing yards

The No. 3 ranked Fighting Irish next face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, October 3 at noon. O’Brien is not scheduled to start this game due to Talich’s return from injury.

O’Brien led the Explorers to a PIAA 6A State Championship last fall and signed in June with Notre Dame. In February, he became one of six members named to Under Armour’s first NIL squad.

After the Purdue game, he was interviewed during the post-game press conference about his first start:

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Screengrab from Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s video