Notre Dame football: Breakout candidates-Defense

I wanted to include some linebackers on this list – especially considering there will be a new starter in the mix for 2020, but the position is very much up in the air, so picking just one or two players was difficult.  Injuries to Shayne Simon and Jack Lamb – two guys many fans and experts expected to be starters by now – is a big reason why.

At the same time, there is also a debate on whether or not Buck or Rover will be the spot that needs a player. If Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes the transition to Buck, Paul Moala is a guy to watch at Rover. If he stays at Rover (my preference), Jack Kiser, Marist Liufau and Osita Ekwonu are guys to watch.

There have also been some position switch rumors for some of these guys, so it is unfair to legitimately throw the breakout tag on one specific guy right now.