Bruton flashed as a playmaker in his first season as a starter in 2007, when he had 85 tackles, three interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss. His production increased in some ways during his senior year (91 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles), but his overall play did not result in Notre Dame's defensive improvement. A team captain, he has the size, speed and athleticism to potentially be a good starter and very good special teams player at the next level.

Positives: Centerfielder with good height and upper-body build. … Nice straight-line speed and overall athleticism for his size. … Usually able to track down ballcarriers from behind, although he will usually take the correct angle to prevent the catastrophic play. … Covers a lot of ground in the deep half, with the ability to high-point the ball on the sideline for the interception. … Good hands make to quarterbacks pay for overthrows. … Also moves inside-out well to get to ballcarriers on stretch plays, either behind the line of scrimmage or working through trash. … Breaks down well, getting low to make the tackle in the open field. … Long enough to wrap up in space and get a hand on the ball to force the turnover. … Major special teams contributor for the Irish as a gunner, winning hand-play at the line, beating the double team, showing good speed down the field and securing the tackle. … Good leader and hard worker.

Negatives: Stiff in the hips. … Has trouble flipping open in transition. … Adequate closing on underneath patterns and staying with tight ends, but struggles manning up against quicker receivers. … Needs to improve reading quarterback so he can be involved in more plays. … Not physical enough against the run or in coverage. … Often loses hand battles and fights for the ball with receivers. … Doesn't explode into tackles, but is more of a catcher. … Running backs drive through his arm tackles. … Will whiff in the open field when ducking his head instead of seeing what he hits.

Ranked third on the team and tops in the secondary with 85 tackles … also posted one sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two passes broken up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery … played in all 12 contests, starting 11 games at free safety (did not start vs. Navy) … notched five games with at least nine tackles … started first career game in season opener vs. Georgia Tech … recorded best game in his Irish career, recording career highs with nine tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack … suited up vs. Penn State, making two tackles (one solo, one assist) … led the Irish with nine tackles against Michigan … led the Irish in solo tackles with eight (totalled 15) against Michigan State … added an interception vs. the Spartans in the second quarter … recorded three solo tackles against Purdue … recorded one interception with a 17-yard return vs. UCLA to set up first Irish touchdown … made four solo tackles vs. the Bruins … had six solo tackles vs. Boston College … had one forced fumble against USC … made two solo and 3 assisted tackles vs. the Trojans … made four tackles (two solo, two assist) vs. Navy … recorded 13 tackles (seven solo, six assist) against Air Force … made six tackles (three solo/three assisted) and had a fumble recovery against Duke … tied for the team lead (with Tom Zbikowski and Joe Brockington) with nine tackles vs. Stanford … made his third interception of the season at Stanford … logged 319:02 of playing time and made 169 special teams appearances … named defensive MVP of the 2007 Blue-Gold Game after returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown and recording four tackles.

Played in 12 of 13 games for the Irish, on both special teams and as a reserve safety … recorded 11 special teams tackles … recorded 18 total tackles on the season … after making first appearance of season against Penn State, recorded two tackles against Michigan … recorded three tackles against Stanford … made solo tackles against Purdue and UCLA … recorded a season-high five tackles in home finale against Army, including one for loss … registered two tackles in final regular season game at USC … recorded four special teams tackles in the Sugar Bowl against LSU … logged 85:02 of playing time.

Played in 11 games, primarily on special teams … made 14 tackles (10 solos) and broke up a pass … recorded his first career tackle (solo) against Michigan … made one solo tackle at safety in the win at Washington … had a huge day on kickoff coverage at Purdue, logging five solo tackles and stopping return men inside the Purdue 20 on three occasions … also played 3:55 at safety against the Boilermakers … did not play against USC … made 17 special teams appearances versus BYU … made two tackles (one solo) on special teams against Tennessee … made two tackles (one solo) on special teams in the win over Navy … made two tackles (one solo) in the win over Stanford … assisted on his lone tackle of the game against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl … logged 3:55 of playing time with 162 special teams appearances.

Graduated from Miamisburg (Ohio) High School … Made 54 tackles, three interceptions and broke up seven passes as a senior … Caught 10 passes for 200 yards as a receiver … Averaged 41 yards on four kickoff returns … Earned All-Division I-II all-area honors from Dayton Daily News … Won all-district honors on defense … All-conference and special mention all-Southwest Ohio as a junior … As a junior in 2003, intercepted eight passes, made 58 tackles and had 270 receiving yards … Attended Notre Dame football camp in the summer of 2004 … Coached by Tim Lewis.

Full name is David Lee Bruton … Born July 23, 1987, in Winchester, Ky. … Older of two children … Enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters, majoring in political science and sociology