Notre Dame football: 5 early bold predictions for the Irish 2022

Marcus Freeman listens during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)Ap21340728940423
Marcus Freeman listens during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)Ap21340728940423 /
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Notre Dame football
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 07: Brandon Joseph #16 of the Northwestern Wildcats incepts a pass in the end zone intended for Austin Allen #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ryan Field on November 07, 2020, in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 21-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: 5 early bold predictions for 2022

Brandon Joseph nabs five interceptions

The biggest hit to this Notre Dame football team on the defensive side of the ball is the loss of Kyle Hamilton, who declared early for the 2022 NFL Draft. Hamilton was the best safety in the country, and a projected top-5 pick, so his leaving early was not much of a surprise.

For most programs, losing a player of that caliber would be devastating, but not the Notre Dame football team, who saw an All-American transfer in at the position group this offseason. That player is Brandon Joseph, who was elite during his time in the Big Ten with Northwestern and should be even better in South Bend.

During the last two years at Northwestern, Joseph nabbed a combined nine interceptions, including six two years ago when he was an All-American. He could certainly reach that number in 2022, but for now, a bold prediction would be five, as teams are going to avoid him with question marks at the other safety spot, and cornerback.