3 reasons Notre Dame football is turning into the new ‘Linebacker U’

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Jamale Carothers #34 of the Navy Midshipmen runs with the ball while being tackled by Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 16, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Jamale Carothers #34 of the Navy Midshipmen runs with the ball while being tackled by Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 16, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 27: Helmets of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish near the bench area in the 2nd half against the Navy Midshipmen at SDCCU Stadium on October 27, 2018, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

3 reasons Notre Dame football is turning into the new ‘Linebacker U’

Notre Dame football scores big in 2022 recruiting class

The 2022 recruiting class for the Notre Dame football program is a special one, and it could be the beginning of the Irish starting to bridge the gap between them and the likes of Alabama and Clemson. Early on, Notre Dame got commitments from two elite linebackers in Niuafe Tuihalamaka and Joshua Burnham, two incredibly talented linebackers from California and Michigan, respectively.

To add to the group, the Irish recently got a commitment from Jaylen Sneed, a linebacker who was coveted by every school from Alabama to Ohio State. Getting a talent like Sneed vaulted the Irish back into the No. 2 spot in terms of the recruiting ranks according to 247Sports.com, and they certainly are not done yet.

In addition, Sneed is the highest-ranked prospect in the class, as he is viewed as the 70th best player in the country.

Overall, the top three prospects within the Irish’s 2022 recruiting class are all linebackers, and all four are ranked within the top-12 in the country according to 247Sports.com. When you consider Nolan Ziegler as the 34th-ranked linebacker in the country, and a four-star talent as well, this group of four has the potential to be a dominant group for years to come, establishing the Irish as the place for linebacker talent.