Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who could breakout in 2022

By Brad Weiss

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) pressures Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates (13) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) pressures Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates (13) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who could breakout in 2022

Howard Cross III, Nose Tackle

While many of the stars of the Notre Dame defensive line are returning in 2022, such as Isaiah Foskey, Justin Ademilola, and Jayson Ademilola, there is one big hole to be filled this season. That void belongs to Kurt Hinish, a leader on and off the field for the Irish, and a player who was one of the hearts and souls of this defense.

Replacing him for the 2022 college football season is likely to be Howard Cross III, a dominant defensive tackle who showed incredible promise this past season. In fact, Cross had quite the impact last season, racking up three sacks, and 4.5 tackles for a loss, a sign that he should be able to fill Hinish’s role with ease this fall.

The son of a Super Bowl champion, Cross made his first collegiate start this past season, a win against Wisconsin in the Shamrock Series game, and had two sacks against Georgia Tech late in the season. If he can play at that level, he gives the Irish arguably the best defensive line across the board in 2022, making life a nightmare for the opposition.

Home/Notre Dame Football