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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/879432ebfb6cc680bcf73e780ac4853c69569aaa7cc2f23cf9a962ffe0402672.jpg)
Notre Dame football: Top returning players on offense in 2022
Brandon Joseph, Safety
The biggest loss for this Notre Dame defense this offseason is Kyle Hamilton, who left the program early for the 2022 NFL Draft. Hamilton is viewed by many as one of the best players coming out this season, and a potential top-3 pick, so he made the right decision to leave school early.
Replacing him would have been tough with the talent on the roster before the offseason began, but thanks to Northwestern star Brandon Joseph, the Irish will be replacing one All-American with another. Joseph may not be a returning Notre Dame player, but he is a returning college player starting his career with the Irish, and it could be a special season for him.
Joseph was one of the best defensive backs in the Big Ten last season, and while the shoes he has to fill are big, he has enough talent to have a standout season in South Bend. Notre Dame football may have lost a top-5 talent in Hamilton, but they gained a potential first-round pick via the transfer portal.