Notre Dame football: Former Irish who deserve to be in CFB HOF

Notre dame defensive linemen who should be in the Hall of Fame

Bryant Young

Bryant Young played at Notre Dame under Lou Holtz, from 1990-93, and he would be a four-year letterman and started for three of those seasons. A defensive tackle, Young dominated opposing offensive lines in both the running game and passing game. Young became a top-10 draft pick once he left Notre Dame, and has been a finalist for the NFL’s Hall of Fame.

While at Notre Dame, Bryant Young was an All-American as a senior and had 14 sacks between his junior and senior seasons.

Walt Patulski

Defensive end Walt Patulski is one of the most dominant defensive linemen in Notre Dame football history. He played from 1968-71, under Ara Parseghian, and during that time, he never missed a start. Noted for his athletic ability, he was seemingly unstoppable in the pass rush.

Patulski would become the number 1 overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft.

Patulski is on the Notre Dame All-Century team, UPI Lineman of the Year, Lombardi Award, and was named to numerous All-American teams throughout his career. Unfortunately, extensive defensive stats were not kept during his time playing.

Bob Golic

The Golic family has become synonymous with Notre Dame football, and Bob Golic is by far the best among them. Among the best to play under Dan Devine, Golic was a defensive lineman who would also play linebacker from 1975-78 and was a member of the 1977 National Championship team.

A consistent tackler, Golic was the best defensive talent on those Irish teams that wore their Green Jerseys in 1977. Golic was an All-American in 1978 and had six career interceptions. His statistics for tackling and sacks are not widely available.