Notre Dame football: Middle of defensive line boasts a veteran tandem
By Brad Weiss
The 2021 Notre Dame football team has a lot of work to do in terms of getting the starting lineup together, as they are losing more than a few starters on both sides of the ball. On offense, quarterback Ian Book, four-fifths of the offensive line, and multiple wideouts are leaving, and the same can be said for the defense.
The biggest hit to this defense is going to be Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a player who many believe will go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His spot is crucial to this defense, and he showed during his time in South Bend that he was one of the best linebackers in the country.
Notre Dame football is losing key players on all three levels of the defense, but in one spot, some veteran leaders are coming back.
Notre Dame football returns both Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa
Though there is a lot of talent to replace upfront along the defensive line on the edges, as both Ade Ogundeji and Daelin Hayes are going to be NFL Draft picks, the interior of the defensive line is stacked with a veteran tandem. Both Kurt Hinish and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa have decided to return for another season in South Bend, which is something to be excited about.
With a new defensive coordinator coming in, the Irish will be looking for leaders on that side of the ball on the field, and both of these guys exhibit those qualities. Both could have easily left Notre Dame football to try their hands at the next level, but by returning, they give the Irish quite a veteran tandem inside.
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Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa will lead a solid group at the position, one that includes Gabriel Rubio, a four-star recruit who was rated in the top-10 in his position group coming out of high school. Several solid young players are coming in on defense, especially in the secondary, but getting pressure in the middle of this defensive line is going to be paramount for Freeman in his first season as defensive coordinator.
Hinish and Tagovailoa-Amosa will help lead that charge.