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Notre Dame football: Top returning players on defense in 2022

By Brad Weiss

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
Sep 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Football linebacker JD Bertrand (27) reacts after the game against the Toledo Rockets at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

The Notre Dame football team is loaded on both sides of the ball heading into the 2022 season, and here are the top defensive players returning.

The Notre Dame football team should have one of the best defenses in the country this upcoming season, and there is even more talent on the horizon. In his first season at the helm, Marcus Freeman is going to lean on a veteran team on that side of the ball, and the results could be special in South Bend.

Here, we look at the best defensive players returning this season.

Notre Dame football: Top returning players on offense in 2022

JD Bertrand, Linebacker

Last season, linebacker JD Bertrand led the team in tackles and proved himself to be a constant in the lineup all year long. In 2022, the linebacker group is stacked, as talented players are coming in via the 2022 recruiting class, and veterans like Bertrand, Marist Liufau, and Bo Bauer are returning as well.

Bertrand is the key here, as his 100-plus tackles were a pleasant surprise last season. He will be tasked with helping an incredible quartet of true freshmen linebackers get acclimated to the college game, while also providing solid play on the field.

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