Newsstand: Notre Dame linebackers named top-10 group in the country
Notre Dame graduate linebackers Jack Kiser, JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau make up the eighth-best linebacker unit in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Irish came in behind, from first to seventh, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State and Missouri. Notre Dame edged out Alabama and Utah for the No. 8 spot.
“Jack Kiser is at his best going downhill, as he was one of only three Power Five linebackers who earned 80.0-plus grades both as a pass rusher and as a run defender in 2022,” PFF college football analyst Max Chadwick said. “His 88.2 pass-rushing grade trailed only Harold Perkins among that same group.”
“Marist Liufau, meanwhile, dominates in coverage. The senior led all Power Five linebackers in both yards per coverage snap allowed (0.17) and passer rating allowed (35.4) in 2022. For reference, spiking the ball every play nets a 39.6 rating. Finally, JD Bertrand is entering his third season as a starter and posted a career-high 71.8 grade last year.”
Chadwick also mentioned Jaylen Sneed as a possible contributor for the Irish, referencing his status as a top-35 recruit in the class of 2022.
Notre Dame tweets of the day
In PFF’s blurb about the Irish linebackers, Chadwick embedded this tweet from Blue & Gold’s own Mike Singer.
Senior receiver Chris Tyree was named to the Hornung Award Watch List. The Hornung Award, named after Irish legend Paul Hornung, is given to college football’s most versatile player.
Graduate linebacker JD Bertrand made the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. The Wuerffel Trophy is awarded for community service.
Quote of the day
“I do fully feel like a tackle. It feels good. I feel like I’m playing at a good weight for a D-tackle. I feel like now I’m at a great weight where I can take on the double teams, I can rush the passer. I feel like I’m really feeling well in my work I put in the offseason.”
— Senior Irish defensive tackle Rylie Mills, on playing exclusively three-technique in 2023
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