Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, No. 10-6

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to tackle running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to tackle running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the second half while playing the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, No. 10-6

9. Drew White , Linebacker

  • Best Ranking: 6
  • Worst Ranking: 15

Drew White was a three-star prospect from Boca Raton, Florida. According to the ratings on 247 Sports, White was ranked 19th out of the 21 members in Notre Dame’s 2017 recruiting class. I think it is safe to say that he was the most underrated player in that group.

White did not see much action during his first two seasons in South Bend. He spent the entirety of his true freshman season on the scout team and then appeared in four games as a sophomore in 2018.

As a junior in 2019, White established himself as an impact player for the Irish defense. He played in all 13 games and led the team with 80 total tackles. He also recorded eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and a pass break-up.

Naturally, expectations for White entering last season were ratcheted up a notch. He started all 12 games for the Irish in 2020 and tallied 56 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one and a half sacks, and four pass break-ups.

It was recently announced that Drew White will be one of Notre Dame’s team captains for the upcoming season. He has cemented himself as a leader on the Irish over the past couple of seasons, and I think he is poised to have another big year in 2021.