Ready or not, Cole Luke was thrown into the deep end in 2014, forced into a starting role after KeiVarae Russell’s August suspension. Paired with Cody Riggs as the team’s field cornerback, Luke more than held his own as a sophomore starter, taking on one of the most challenging schedules in college football, with elite receivers testing the Irish secondary nearly every week.
Luke’s game had high points, with his work against Louisville’s DeVante Parker highlighted by Notre Dame’s staff. But there were tough moments as well, with game tape against USC likely providing motivation for not just Luke, but the rest of the Irish secondary.