Notre Dame football: Irish getting back key talent on both sides of the ball for 2022
By Brad Weiss
![Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/59a89831da64da3a583058924c715fbdd7159d51786ba6d727c4c1825d910f7f.jpg)
The Notre Dame football team could lose some key players to the 2022 NFL Draft but have already gotten some big names to return for the 2022 season.
The Notre Dame football team got some big news on Wednesday, as defensive end Justin Ademilola announced on Twitter that he would be returning for the 2022 college football season. This is huge for this Notre Dame defense, one that dominated down the stretch of the regular season, and one that is going to need all the veteran help they can get in 2022.
Head coach Marcus Freeman no doubt has an incredible connection to his players, and we have already seen other key players on both sides of the ball state they will be coming back for another season. Offensive tackle Josh Lugg is returning for another go-around, as is Houston Griffith, who will bring veteran leadership, and stability to the safety position group.
Griffith returning is big because Kyle Hamilton is leaving school early, and will likely be a top-5 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Also, George Takacs is coming back to be the TE2 behind Michael Mayer, who should be the front-runner to win the John Mackey Award in what likely will be his final season with the Irish.
Notre Dame football still waiting on key players to make their decisions
The news of Ademilola coming back brought up two other players who would be key if they return for the 2022 season. Ademilola’s brother, Jayson, was one of the best defensive players for the Irish this past season, and would likely be a Day 3 draft pick if he declared for 2022, but coming back could benefit both him and the Irish in a big way.
Also, Isaiah Foskey was one of the best edge rushers in the country last season and is likely going to be a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but another double-digit sack season could push him into the first round. On offense, Jarrett Patterson returning would be huge for this offensive line, but like Foskey, he is likely a Day 2 pick as well.
Overall, the Irish saw some very young players step up in a big way during the 2022 college football season, and they have an outstanding 2022 recruiting class coming in. However, having veterans like Ademilola, Takacs, and Griffith returning makes this roster not only talented, but deep, and the hope is that more names decide to come back in the coming weeks.