Notre Dame Linebackers Ranked As The 8th Best Unit In College Football

Pro Football Focus ranked the Notre Dame linebackers as the 8th best returning group in college football

Notre Dame linebacker play certainly needs to improve in 2023, and depending on who you talk to, expectations are high for that group this season. Count Pro Football Focus as one of those entities that does in fact have high expectations for the Irish linebackers.

Pro Football Focus released its Top 10 linebacker groups for the 2023 season, and the Notre Dame linebackers ranked 8th in that list.

"Notre Dame returns all three of its starting linebackers from 2022. 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. 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. Jaylen Sneed is also entering his second year with the program and was a top-35 overall recruit in the 2022 class." - Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

Bertrand has led the Notre Dame defense in tackles in each of the last two seasons, registering 183 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss. The Georgia native has finished second on the defense in tackles for loss in the last two seasons, finishing behind Isaiah Foskey in both instances.

Kiser was second on the Irish defense last season with 58 tackles to go with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Chadwick is wise to point out that Kiser is at his best when allowed to attack. Irish Breakdown has pointed that out this summer as well, and if the Irish staff allows him to be more aggressive the result could be a breakout campaign.

Liufau did have a good season in coverage, but if Notre Dame is going to have one of the top linebacker units in 2023 he'll need to get a lot better against the run and improve as a pass rusher. 

A pair of Notre Dame opponents also had their linebacker units in the Top 10 at linebacker. Clemson topped the list at No. 1, while Ohio State ranked No. 6 on the list.

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