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Notre Dame Football 2019 Look Ahead: Linebacker

By Mason Plummer

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Asmar Bilal #22 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs to the sideline with teammates after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Asmar Bilal #22 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs to the sideline with teammates after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Jordan Genmark Heath #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs off the field at halftime against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Mike Linebackers: At MIKE linebacker, battling Jones for playing time will be rising sophomore Bo Bauer and red-shirt freshman Jack Lamb. Bauer surprised many Irish fans as a freshman contributor last season, mostly on special teams, but the staff loves him. He should be firmly in the rotation during the 2019 season. The wildcard of the bunch is Jack Lamb. Lamb came to Notre Dame with a ton of fanfare, but injuries the last few years and simply normal development have held him back from playing time thus far. He is the most talented of the trio, therefore, it would be unwise to discount him as a contributor in 2019.

Buck Linebackers: BUCK is a little more simple from a depth chart standpoint assuming Asmar Bilal shifts over from ROVER as anticipated. If that is the case, Bilal is the presumed starter with Jordan Genmark-Heath likely receiving a ton of snaps as his main backup. Red-shirt sophomore, Drew White, will be a factor on special teams and against Navy. He could presumably play at both MIKE and BUCK if called upon.

Rover Linebackers: Shayne Simon and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (JOK) should hold down the ROVER spot for the Irish in 2019, unless Bilal moves back. Most felt Simon would play a more prominent role on defense as a true freshman, but he was a major factor on special teams and saw some time on defense. If he takes the necessary leaps, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he is the best linebacker on the roster. JOK is coming off injury, but going into 2018 he was expected to be a key factor at ROVER. I could really see ROVER taking a big step up in play from last season with these two manning the position. Bilal is a much more natural fit inside.

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