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

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Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10.Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26 /

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

Marcus Freeman

Finally, the third reason why the Irish should have a top-10 defense in 2021 is their new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who was coveted by most teams in America after the 2020 season. Freeman is as elite as they come in terms of the scheme and recruiting, and he inherits a group that will certainly benefit from him being in South Bend.

A mastermind when it comes to the linebackers, Freeman was able to make Cincinnati’s defense one of the best in the country, and he is working with much more talent at Notre Dame. Not only will the 2021 defense be one of the best in the country, but there is even more talent coming, and while Freeman may just coach so well that he will be a head coach soon, the hope is that he can stick around long enough for a possible national title.

Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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Overall, this Irish defense has the depth, and talent to be one of the best in America this season, and certainly has the right person at the helm in Freeman. For Notre Dame to do anything of substance, they will have to see the defense flourish early and often in 2021, and it certainly looks like they have the players to do just that.

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