Notre Dame football: Linebacker room deepest position in 2022?
By Sean Smith
Notre Dame football should be loaded on the defensive side of the ball in 2022, but is the linebacker group the deepest of the bunch?
Notre Dame football is returning a lot of talent in the 2022 season. They will look to lean on their experienced defense to give them a run to the College Football Playoff. I believe the deepest position on the Irish is the linebacker position.
Below, I will go in-depth on each class of linebackers returning or joining the elite Notre Dame defense.
Notre Dame football 2022 linebacker group
- Fifth Year Senior: Bo Bauer
- Seniors: JD Bertrand, Osita Ekwonu, Jack Kiser, Marist Liufau
- Juniors: Jordan Bothelo
- Sophomores: Prince Kollie
- Freshman: Joshua Burnham, Jaylen Sneed, Niufafe Tuihalamaka, Nolan Ziegler
The fifth-year Senior
Bo Bauer coming back was a huge boost in depth and experience that this defense needed heading into the 2022 season! Likely a starter, look for Bauer to have his best season yet while developing the younger talent like Kollie, Sneed, and Tuihalamaka.
Bauer’s career stats are 111 Total Tackles, 65 Solo Tackles, 46 Assisted Tackles, 6 Passes Defended, 2.5 Sacks, and 2 Interceptions.
The Seniors
The seniors will be relied on heavily in 2022. The Irish return production from JD Bertrand and Jack Kiser, while also getting Marist Liufau back after his season-ending injury last year. Notre Dame relied heavily on Kiser and Bertrand in 2021, with the injuries and lack of depth the position had.
However, a year later expect their workload as starters to be cut down to develop some of the younger stars in 2022.
The Juniors
Jordan Botelho is a game wrecker. He can change the script of a game with just one play. He will likely play Rover behind Isaiah Foskey. He had two Sacks in 2021, I expect him to at least double that next season. Look out for Botelho in 2022.
The Sophomores
Kahanu Kia will leave the Notre Dame Football program for two years on a mission trip before returning to the Irish linebacker rotation. However, Prince Kollie could see an expanded role, and don’t be surprised if the former four-star in the 2021 Class winds up a starter. He has the talent to be successful next season.
The Freshmen
Notre Dame likely has the best linebacker class out of all of the 2022 Recruiting classes. Not only are they all four All-Americans, but the Irish also have one five-star and three four-stars at the respected position.
I expect all of them to make an impact in some way, shape, or form. However, look out for five-star Jaylen Sneed. I believe he will start next season and be the next generational linebacker for the Irish Defense.
The Irish are deep in a plethora of positions, however, linebacker is the deepest position. The group is also likely will be one of the best positions on the team for years to come, as the Irish defense is now elite, so expect that to show Week 1 against the Ohio State Buckeyes.