Notre Dame football: 4 most underrated Irish players in 2021

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Nov 16, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Paul Moala (13) pressures Navy Midshipmen quarterback Malcolm Perry (10) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 4 most underrated Irish players in 2021

Paul Moala

One player who has an opportunity to shake his injury label this season is Paul Moala, who is in a fight to be the starting Rover for the Notre Dame defense this season. While Jack Kiser appears to have a stranglehold on the starting job, Moala is a guy who, if healthy this season, is going to get a lot of reps in Marcus Freeman’s defense.

He actually fits the role perfectly, as he was a safety in high school, and he looked to be on his way to breaking out a bit in 2020 before he tore his Achilles against Florida State. Moala does have true freshman Prince Kollie behind him, but he is considered an elite recruit, so the time is now for him to get healthy, and to secure a role in this defense.

Sep 14, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are reflected in a helmet as they sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater following the win over the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who must step up in 2021

The Notre Dame football team should be solid on the defensive side of the ball, especially if these three players step up in a big way.

After losing so much talent to the NFL this offseason, it is going to have to be all hands on deck for this 2021 Notre Dame football team. These four players are going to play big roles, especially Coan, and for now, they all seem to be a bit underrated by the national media.

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