Notre Dame Football: Irish will dominate upfront on defense
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame Football team is stacked with veterans along the defense, and the defensive line should dominate the schedule in 2021.
The 2021 college football season is over three months away, but we are starting to get a good picture of who the top teams will be this Fall. Looking at some recent top-25 rankings by some major publications, the Notre Dame Football team should begin as a top-10 team, with the ability to move up even higher.
After a College Football Playoff berth this past season, the Irish have a lot of talent to replace on both sides of the ball, which is going to affect any early-season rankings. However, they have the talent to once again be one of the last four teams standing, thanks to some veterans on all three levels of the defense.
When it comes to the defensive line, it could end up being one of the best in the country.
Notre Dame Football will dominate along the defensive line
An early look at the depth chart shows that the Irish should be outstanding coming off the edge, as Isaiah Foskey is a guy to keep an eye on. Some feel he could end up being a first-round pick before all is said and done, and he will lead a team that includes veterans in the middle in Kurt Hinish and Hayson Ademilola.
Outside of those three, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa brings a ton of experience, giving the Irish four guys up front who are more than battle-tested. In order for them to win ten or more games for the fifth straight season, the defense is going to have to step up, especially with so many new faces on the offensive side of the ball.
Notre Dame did a nice job bolstering the group with young talent as well, as Devin Aupiu, Will Schweitzer, and especially Gabriel Rubio should contribute as true freshmen upfront.
The Irish do not have a cupcake schedule, as four of their opponents were recently ranked in the top-25 of Pro Football Focus’ 2021 preview. In order for them to continue their winning ways, they must dominate on the defensive side of the ball, and they certainly have enough talent up front to do just that.