Notre Dame football: 2022 defense could be an ‘all-time’ unit
By Brad Weiss
Notre Dame football: 2022 defense could be an ‘all-time’ unit
Linebackers
On Monday, word came down that Bo Bauer would be returning for another season in South Bend, which is huge news for a linebacker group that will have some fresh faces in 2022. JD Bertrand had an incredible 2021 season, racking up a ton of tackles, and Inside the Irish writer, Douglas Farmer feels he could move inside with the Irish thin there.
Four incoming freshmen were early enrollees, so they get their college careers started this week, and they are a special group. Jaylen Sneed is one of the best players in the entire country and should have an instant impact in Year 1, and he is joined by Joshua Burnham, Nolan Ziegler, and Niuafe Tuihalamaka as early enrollees.
Prince Kollie got some playing time as a true freshman this past season and is a highly-touted recruit as well, so expect him to be a big part of this linebacker group in 2022. Jack Kiser and Marist Liufau also return from the 2021 squad, so based on pure depth and talent, and with Freeman being a linebacker guru, this could be a very dominant unit in the middle of this Irish defense.