Rewatching the games and the type of talent on the coverage teams is notable: Claypool, Hamilton, JOK, Bauer, Kmet, etc. Special teams seems better this year so I gave it a look.
National ranking on yards per kick return given up:
2019: 19th
2018: 109th
2017: 91st
Punt coverage:
2019: 26th
2018: 62nd
2017: 83rd
Notre Dame is also ranked 7th overall in the special teams rating in SP+. More games to go, but a lot of folks have been talking about the overall talent level on the roster going up, and these numbers seem to reflect that.