Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons the Irish defense will be top-10 in 2021

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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after an interception during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons the Irish defense will be top-10 in 2021

Playmakers on all three levels of the defense

Looking at the depth chart for the 2021 Notre Dame football defense heading into the summer months, it is exciting to see so many playmakers. In fact, the Irish not only boast veteran leadership on all three levels, but players who can flat out change the outcome of a game at any time.

Upfront, Kurt Hinish leads a group that is going to be special, as players like Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Jayson Ademilola are guys who have a ton of experience. At Vyper, you can expect a breakout season from Isaiah Foskey, who has the size, speed, and power to be a disruptive force in the backfield all season long.

At linebacker, Drew White returns in the middle, and he leads a group that is seasoned, and ready to do some damage. Shayne Simon and Jack Kiser should start alongside White, but Bo Bauer, Marist Liufau, and Isaiah Pryor are certainly going to impact games for one of the best linebacker coaches in the country in Freeman.

Finally, the secondary has one of the best defensive players in the country in Kyle Hamilton, who could end up being a top-5 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Clarence Lewis came out of nowhere to start at cornerback in 2020, and Cam Hart and Houston Griffith round out a starting four that could be one of the best in America.

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