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Notre Dame Football: The 3 Most Irreplaceable Players on the Irish Defense

By Mason Plummer

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Nolan Givan #88 of the Ball State Cardinals catches a touchdown pass over Alohi Gilman #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Nolan Givan #88 of the Ball State Cardinals catches a touchdown pass over Alohi Gilman #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Alohi Gilman #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pulls in a pass intended for Taj Harris #80 of the Syracuse Orange during their game at Yankee Stadium on November 17, 2018 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

Alohi Gilman

The Navy transfer was always going to make the irreplaceable players list. Gilman has been a stud since he first stepped foot in South Bend and that was proven last year as he truly made the free safety position his own.

Last season, in his first season at Notre Dame after being forced to sit out a year from his transfer, Gilman transcended the Notre Dame secondary. He racked up 94 tackles (58 solo), three tackles for loss, two interceptions, five passes defended and one forced fumble.

Talk about filling up a stat sheet.

Gilman and his safety-compatriot Jalen Elliott will be among the best safety-duos in college football this season and both could be considered irreplaceable to this Notre Dame squad. Gilman was chosen because Elliott has more depth behind him that could fill-in and do just fine, while Gilman at the moment only has DJ Brown and Kyle Hamilton.

Yes, I realize Kyle Hamilton is a 5-star recruit and will probably be a stud at Notre Dame. However, nothing is certain and I feel much more confident in the depth behind Elliott rather than Gilman.

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