Linebackers
Manti Teo
Being invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony as a defensive player is no easy task. That’s just as difficult as leading a injury-riddled Notre Dame defense to the National Championship Game. Manti Te’o accomplished both of those in 2012. Te’o made an impact from the moment he stepped on campus as a freshman. During his four years at Notre Dame, he played in all fifty-one games — including forty-nine starts. (Jack Leniart)
Michael Stonebreaker
Outside of an elite last name, Stonebreaker was a force in the middle of the Irish defense during the late 1980s. He intercepted fives passes in three seasons at Notre Dame. He was a two-time consensus All-American in college. (Nathan Erbach)
Bob Crable
The best tackler in Notre Dame history has to make this list. Crable was a 2-time captain and All-American. He holds the Irish record for tackles in a career (521). He led the Notre Dame in tackles every year from ‘79-‘81. He was taken with the 23rd overall pick in the 1982 Draft by the NY Jets and was inducted to the CFB Hall of Fame in 2017. (Connor McJunkin)