Notre Dame Football: Projecting the 2021 starting lineup

New defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman brings energy and a great pedigree to South Bend.

Despite losing a lot of starters in 2020, the Notre Dame defense depth is still strong. The group can play multiple players along the defensive line.

The true test is in the secondary where recruiting misses leave the Irish extremely thin.

• Strongside Defensive End: Justin Ademilola 

Justin Ademilola registered 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss during the 2020 season. He moves into a starting spot this year with the departure of Ade Ogundeji, who is going to be a good one at the next level.

• Defensive Tackle: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa returns to Notre Dame for his fifth season in an Irish uniform. He is an extremely productive and disruptive player, and last year, he collected 17 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss.

• Nose Guard: Kurt Hinish

Kurt Hinish opted to use a free year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic. He helps bolster the inside of the Notre Dame defensive line.

• Weakside Defensive End: Isaiah Foskey

Isaiah Foskey is the most talented defensive linemen on Notre Dame’s roster. He finished the 2020 campaign with 20 tackles and five tackles for loss. Foskey should grow into a true playmaker in 2021 with more playing time.

• Strongside Linebacker: Jack Kiser

With new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman putting his own spin on the defense, it is unclear what the rover position will become in 2021. At Cincinnati, the Bearcats started a smaller linebacker who was listed at 5’10” and 205 lbs. This could bode well for Isaiah Pryor who was working at the rover spot behind Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

• Middle Linebacker: Drew White 

Drew White returns to anchor the Notre Dame defense in 2021. He will continue to be productive, like last season, White made 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two passes defended, and two quarterback hurries.

• Weakside Linebacker: Shayne Simon

Marist Liufau could also start at this position, as the spot was mainly shared by Shayne Simon and Liufau for the entire season. Simon is the more traditional linebacker and is a safer bet.

• Field Cornerback: Clarence Lewis

Clarence Lewis surprised Notre Dame fans and coaches by leapfrogging older teammates and seizing the second cornerback position. He will only continue to get better in his sophomore year.

• Free Safety: Kyle Hamilton 

By far, Notre Dame’s best player on defense is their All-American safety. Kyle Hamilton led the team in tackles in 2020 with 63 total stops. He will definitely be the leading tackles in 2021.

• Strong Safety: DJ Brown

The Fighting Irish could look to add a graduate transfer at the safety and cornerback positions. If not, DJ Brown is the logical choice to replace Shaun Crawford at the spot next to Hamilton.

• Boundary Cornerback: Philip Riley

There are no great options at the cornerback spot. If Notre Dame cannot secure a graduate transfer at the cornerback position, Cam Hart, Tariq Bracy, Caleb Offord, Ramon Henderson, Philip Riley, Ryan Barnes, and Chance Tucker all will get a chance to start. All but Hart and Bracy are freshmen or redshirt freshmen, but Riley played against great competition in Florida and is probably ready to start for the Irish.