Notre Dame football: Incoming LBs in great spot to learn and contribute
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team should be elite on defense in 2022, and their young linebacker group could be one of the best in the country in 2023.
The Notre Dame football team should have one of the best defenses in the country in 2022, thanks to some incredibly talented players returning. Upfront, Isaiah Foskey, Justin Ademilola, and Jayson Ademilola will return, and that should strike fear in the hearts of opposing quarterbacks this season.
In the secondary, the loss of Kyle Hamilton is a big one, but one that should be softened now that Northwestern All-American Brandon Joseph has joined the fold. That was a monster get for Marcus Freeman and his staff and solidifies a defensive backfield that should take a big step forward in 2022.
Then there are the linebackers, and while losing Drew White will be tough, there is a lot of talent returning, as well as the elite talent coming in via the 2022 recruiting class. In fact, the linebackers coming in are in a perfect spot as they begin their collegiate careers, as they can not only learn from veteran talent but also contribute in Year 1.
Not to mention, Freeman is a linebacker’s dream to play for as a head coach, as he is one of the elite linebacker coaches in the country.
Notre Dame football loaded at linebacker in 2022 and beyond
The names will be familiar in terms of the starting lineup next season, as Bo Bauer is returning, as well as JD Bertrand and Jack Kiser. Marist Liufau could fight for a starting job for the Irish in 2022, as will Prince Kollie, who got some much-needed experience as a true freshman last season.
In terms of the 2022 recruiting class, there is none better in terms of the position group in the country, with five-star talent Jaylen Sneed leading a group that is going to wreak havoc on the rest of the college football landscape. Sneed, Joshua Burnham, Niuafe Tuihalamaka, and Nolan Ziegler are all elite talents, giving the Irish the kind of depth that Freeman is going to work wonders with.
When all is said and done, this Notre Dame football team is going to punish teams on the defensive side of the ball, and it will be interesting to see how Freeman and his staff work in all this young talent with the veterans who are coming back. Either way, you know that the Irish are going to be stout on that second level of their defense not only in 2022 but for the foreseeable future.