Notre Dame practice updates: Drayk Bowen, Aneyas Williams lead drills

Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Drayk Bowen is coming off hip labrum surgery, yet he was dressed and working with the other linebackers on working their way through blocks. That's one of the takeaways from today's open practice, as noticed by Notre Dame beat writer Mike Berardino from the South Bend Tribune . Other notes, according to Berardino: New co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Aaron Henry was working that position group on pass breakups, at walkthrough speed.

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash was standing nearby, watching closely. Keep in mind that secondary struggles in the first two games last season may have cost Notre Dame a shot at the playoffs -- the overall coverage seemed to be a bigger issue than pass breakups. Finally, Berardino noted that running back Aneyas Williams, who could be the starter this season, was still wearing a red no-contact jersey as he recovers from an elbow injury.

Still, he led the running back group in drills, under the watchful eye of assistant head coach/running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider. Quick hitters from Wednesday’s open portion of #NDFootball practice: -LB Drayk Bowen, coming off hip labrum surgery, was dressed out and working on block destruction with his position group. -New co-DC/DB Aaron Henry had his group drilling PBUs at walkthrough speed.

DC Chris… — Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) April 8, 2026 Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions . Follow Tim on X: @tehealey This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame practice updates: Drayk Bowen, Aneyas Williams lead drills