Notre Dame Football: Alohi Gilman Was Breakout Player of the Year

Alohi Gilman provided a brand new spark to an experienced Notre Dame football team.

Alohi Gilman’s story is now known by most Notre Dame football fans. A Navy transfer after being selected to the Freshman All-American Athletic Conference team in 2016 and an honorable mention on the primary team, Gilman was forced to sit out the entire 2017 season due to transfer rules.

He then burst onto the Irish scene with seven tackles and two passes defensed in a week one victory against Michigan. His solid play up until the Irish bye week was enough for him to be our mid season Newcomer of the Year.

Since that time, he’s somehow improved his play even more. In the five games since then, he’s had 38 tackles, including two games with ten.

His best game came against Syracuse, where Gilman intercepted two passes, the second of which included a 54 yard return and led to an Irish touchdown. Both turnovers happened in the first half and ensured the momentum stayed in Notre Dame’s favor.

On the season, Gilman ended up with 76 tackles, good for second on the team only behind Te’Von Coney. He also had those two huge interceptions and forced a fumble against Vanderbilt, which came during a 75 yard drive that the Commodores had gotten to the one yard line on. That play then resulted in an Irish field goal, essentially taking 7 points away from Vanderbilt and giving 3 to Notre Dame. The Irish ended up winning by five. Gilman was a huge part of that victory.

Of course, possibly the biggest thing Gilman did wasn’t seen on the stat sheet.

During the battle against USC, the final (and biggest) game of the year, the Irish went into the locker room down seven. That’s when Gilman used the coaching skills he gained when he was with the practice team in 2017.

Gilman delivered a short, sweet and passionate speech. Basically, there’s no way the team leaves Los Angeles with a loss.

Of course, Notre Dame is now 12-0.

Gilman was expected to be a huge part of the defense, but he really broke out as one of the best transfers of this year in all of college football.

Gilman is currently a junior, although he still has two years of eligibility remaining. It’s exciting to see what the future holds for the 2018 Slap the Sign Breakout Player of the Year.