When the Notre Dame defense steps onto the field in 2026, there are all kinds of names that the opposing offense will be worried about going up against. For some reason, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa seems to be a name that onlookers and analysts tend to forget. Opposing coaches forget the linebacker at their own peril. The under-the-radar defender is actually one of the best in the sport, as demonstrated by one NFL Mock that has him getting selected in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft.
The latest example of how good the player lovingly known as KVA to Fighting Irish fans is comes in the release of a list from Pro Football Focus of the best returning linebackers in the sport. The Irish star is right at the top, ranked as the best player at his position for the 2026 season.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa being at the top of the list is good news for Notre Dame and fans who want to see the defense dominate. That Drayk Bowen is also on this list at No. 6 is even better news. That both starting LBers are on the list shows once again just how good Chris Ash’s unit can be this coming season.
“Linebacker is one of the most demanding positions in football because players are expected to do everything for a defense: defend the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. Viliamu-Asa is the top linebacker in college football because he excels in all three areas,” Max Chadwick wrote.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa tops PFF list as Notre Dame football lands two in top six
“His 89.7 PFF grade in 2025 ranked second among Power Four linebackers, trailing only Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez, while his 94.0 run-defense grade ranked second in the FBS. Viliamu-Asa also earned the eighth-highest coverage grade among Power Four linebackers (83.3) and recorded four sacks. He is coming off a torn ACL suffered in November but could be ready for Week 1.”
His readiness for Week 1 is still a very big question. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman gave an update earlier this month that said the team is hoping to get him back soon, but he didn’t know whether KVA would be back soon enough to start the season opener against Wisconsin.
As for Bowen, the veteran linebacker is plenty healthy. He’s also ready to make one final charge towards being one of the best at his position in 2026.
He even has something to prove, according to Chadwick, who believes that Bowen wasn’t as good as he could have been in 2025.
“Bowen took a slight step back as a junior, posting a 70.7 PFF grade in 2025 that was exactly 10.0 points lower than his mark from his sophomore season. He still ranks as the third-most valuable returning linebacker since 2024, according to PFF's wins above average metric. At 232 pounds, Bowen is a physical presence, recording eight sacks and 58 defensive stops over the past two seasons.”
If the two defensive stars can indeed live up to the hype given them by PFF, Notre Dame’s defense could somehow end up better than people expected, despite those expectations being rather high.
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