Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who need to be great in 2022

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Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Marco Lee (left) is chased out of the pocket by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who need to be great in 2022

No. 1: Isaiah Foskey

Expected to be at least a Day 2 NFL draft pick this year, Isaiah Foskey decided to wait a year to cash in on his NFL riches, and instead return to South Bend. That was a huge shot in the arm for this Irish defense, as he was not only an elite player for them in 2021 but one of the best edge rushers in the entire country.

Foskey, who could become the program’s all-time leader in sacks with a strong 2022 campaign, is fresh off a year that saw him breakout for the Irish. Stepping in for two draft picks in Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogundeji, Foskey was expected to step up in a big way for Freeman and this defense, and he did all of that and more.

In the end, he racked up double-digit sacks, forced six fumbles, and became a leader both on and off the field for this Notre Dame football team. He will be expected to build on his great 2021 season, and if he does so, not only will the Irish be a top team once again, but he could develop himself into a first-round pick in 2023.

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