Replace and Reload: Notre Dame Linebacker Unit Will Be Younger, And Talented

Notre Dame has had a fortunate offseason on defense as several members of the defense chose to return for another season in 2024. The one position that was hit hard by departures was linebacker, where the Irish lost a pair of multi-year starters that were key figures in the 2023 defense.

The good news for Notre Dame is that the young players that will battle to fill those roles are very talented.

WHAT WAS LOST

Notre Dame will have to replace both of its starting linebackers with JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau both deciding not to take advantage of sixth-year options. Both are playing in the Senior Bowl and are hoping to get drafted in April.

Bertrand started the last two seasons at Mike linebacker and was the starting Will in 2021. He led Notre Dame in tackles in each of the last three seasons, and he finished second in tackles for loss in each of his two seasons starting at Mike. The Georgia native racked up 267 career tackles, 22.5 career tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also broke up nine passes and forced two fumbles.

Bertrand was productive, but his biggest asset was his leadership and ability to lead the defense, which was evidenced by him being named a two-time captain for the Irish. The defense didn't run as smooth when Bertrand wasn't in the lineup, and that part of what he brought to the defense will be tougher to replace than his production.

For much of his career Liufau was more about potential than he was production or effective play. He was flashy but not consistent, but that changed in his final season. Liufau was a quality starter for the Irish this season, and when he was on he was really good.

The Hawaii native finished the 2023 season with a career high 23 solo tackles (44 total) and a career best with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He also went from 11 quarterback pressures in 2022 to 25 in 2023.

WHAT TO DO WITH KISER?

The first question to consider when looking at how the linebacker unit will shake out in 2024 is what will the staff do with Jack Kiser, the one returning starter for the Irish at linebacker. Kiser was the team's starter at Rover in 2023, but he got a start at Mike when Bertrand was out with an injury (Central Michigan) and he started at Will in the bowl game when Liufau opted out.

The expectation for me is that Kiser will move inside this spring, either on a full-time basis or as a swing player that does a little bit of everything for the Irish defense.

How Kiser is used will largely determine how successful he will be. Kiser finished with a career-high 62 tackles this season, and his production in the pass game was much better this season. According to Pro Football Focus, Kiser cut his passing yards allowed in half and doubled his pressures on the quarterback.

Kiser is a weapon when he is allowed to attack the football, and when he's moved around it is easier to use his athleticism and playmaking skills. He's an established player at Rover, and my concern is that moving him inside on a full-time basis could limit his overall impact.

Whether or not he's a full-time Will, a full-time Rover or if he's moved all over and used to attack teams in different ways could be determined by who else steps up this spring and in fall camp.

YOUTH MOVEMENT?

Notre Dame landed an incredibly talented trio of linebackers in the 2023 class, and they will get a shot to make noise in the battle for starting spots and key rotation roles at linebacker in 2024.

Drayk Bowen got the most action at linebacker this season, earning 74 snaps on defense and 161 more as a starter on the Irish special teams. He played 67 snaps on defense in the final five games of the season, which is essentially just under two games worth of starter snaps. During that stretch he racked up an impressive 14 tackles.

Bowen shows the athleticism/power combination needed to be the big time linebacker Notre Dame fans hoped he would be when he signed. He certainly would provide the defense with a boost in size and length at Mike linebacker, and he has the talent to become an impact player for Notre Dame.

Will that start to happen in 2024? We'll see, but Bowen has a lot of work to do. The tools are there, but he's young and inexperienced, and we saw in the bowl game he still needs some technical work, and he has a lot to learn about the defense. He needs to be a pet project for Al Golden and the defensive staff. Getting Bowen ready to seize hold of a starting job, or at least a key rotation role, is an important ingredient to the linebacker unit continuing to be a strength.

Classmate Jaiden Ausberry didn't get as much playing time in year one, earning just 21 defensive snaps this season while preserving a redshirt season. Ausberry is on the shorter side, but he has good length for his height and he's a powerful young athlete.

What Ausberry brings to the table is impressive instincts for the position and outstanding athleticism. The Louisiana native has the athleticism and range to play both Rover or Will linebacker, and his playmaking potential and football IQ are two reasons why he was my top-ranked defensive recruit in the 2023 class.

Notre Dame needs both Bowen and Ausberry to grow up in a hurry. The linebacker position cannot maintain its strong level of play in 2024 if this duo doesn't force its way onto the field. One of them should step into the starting lineup, but both need to be key rotation players. If they step up the linebacker unit will likely make more mistakes than we saw in 2023, but it will also be in position to see this talented group make more plays.

I also wouldn't sleep on fellow rising sophomore Preston Zinter, who has the biggest frame at linebacker and he's a quality athlete as well. Zinter is a unique athlete that could play linebacker, Vyper or even tight end at Notre Dame. This is a big offseason for him, and I won't be surprised if he doesn't emerge as a big time special teams weapon, if not a key part of the linebacker rotation.

SNEED GETS HIS SHOT

Of course, no player will have more attention on him this spring than rising junior Jaylen Sneed. He's the last linebacker remaining from the top-ranked 2022 linebacker unit, which has seen one member depart and two more move to defensive end.

Sneed is a special athlete and a former five-star recruit. He possesses all the physical tools to become an impact player in the Notre Dame defense in some capacity. Whether that is as a starter, a rotation player or a niche player (as a pass rusher) remains to be seen.

There are two questions that have to be answered with Sneed this offseason. One, is he physical enough and can he hold up as an inside linebacker on a snap by snap basis. The answer to this question will determine if Sneed plays mostly Rover, where he played in the bowl game, or if he can compete for a starting role at Will.

The second question is whether or not Sneed can play with the assignment discipline and technical discipline needed to be an every down linebacker. He showed legit athletic potential this season, but Sneed wasn't overly productive despite playing 231 snaps this fall. In those snaps, Sneed racked up just 14 tackles, which is what Bowen racked up in just 74 snaps. Bowen also had three more solo tackles than Sneed.

The athletic talent is there, but Sneed needs to grow as a player this offseason, be more consistent, clean up his technique and show more consistent effort. If he can do that he'll have a breakout season in 2024, but if he doesn't he'll once again be relegated to more of a niche/rotation role.

ROOKIE IMPACT

It's a big offseason for all the returning linebackers, and a big reason for that is the winter arrival of big time freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, the crown jewel of the 2024 linebacker class.

Viliamu-Asa graded out as a Top 50 recruit on the Irish Breakdown board and he's a five-star recruit according to Rivals. He has the size to play right away, and he is athletic enough to make a quick transition to college, especially when you consider the elite level of talent he faced throughout his high school career. On top of those physical traits, Viliamu-Asa is also incredibly instinctive, possessing top-notch read-react ability, consistency and football knowledge.

The California native has the skillset to play either Mike or Will, which should increase his opportunity to earn playing time as a rookie. Speaking of that, I fully expect Viliamu-Asa to make an immediate impact at Notre Dame. He'll either force his way onto the field, or his presence and performance will force the older linebackers to raise their game. Either way, Viliamu-Asa will make his presence felt and make the linebacker position better the minute he steps foot on campus.

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