Notre Dame football: Top-5 defensive players returning in 2021
By Brad Weiss
Drew White will benefit big from the addition of Marcus Freeman
Coming to the Notre Dame football program, defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is widely regarded as one of the best linebacker coaches in college football. In fact, Mike Vrabel tried to get him to come to the NFL level and coach his Tennessee Titans linebackers after the 2019 college football season.
In his first season with the Irish, Freeman will get the chance to coach up one of the veterans on this defense in linebacker Drew White, who plays a tough brand of football. White is in his fifth season with the Irish and is another guy who could be a possible captain for Brian Kelly this season.
White has steadily improved each season, and last year, he finished third on the team with 57 tackles, including nine for a loss. He is the top linebacker returning to this defense in 2021, and someone who Freeman will certainly lean on.