Notre Dame Commit Profile: LB/DE Dominik Hulak

A look at Notre Dame 2025 defensive commit Dominik Hulak
Notre Dame Commit Profile: LB/DE Dominik Hulak
Notre Dame Commit Profile: LB/DE Dominik Hulak /

Notre Dame picked up a commitment from 2025 Illinois defender Dominik Hulak. Let's take a look at the Fighting Irish commit.

DOMINIK HULAK PROFILE

Hometown/High School: Elmhurst, Ill./Immaculate Conception

Height/Weight: 6-3, 225

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Player Comp: Junior Tuihalamaka, Notre Dame

2023 Stats: 36 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 break ups
2022 Stats: 57 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 break ups

Recruited By: Chad Bowden

Offers: Notre Dame, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisville, Missouri, Purdue, Kansas, Iowa State

RECRUITING RANKINGS

Rivals: 3-star - No. 19 inside linebacker
247Sports: 3-star - No. 27 athlete
On3: 3-star - No. 52 linebacker
247Sports Composite: 3-star - No. 440 overall - No. 39 athlete
On3 Consensus: 3-star - No. 448 overall - No. 44 linebacker

FILM ANALYSIS

Hulak is built similarly to current Irish sophomore end Junior Tuihalamaka, who was also a physical inside linebacker that ultimately converted to end with the Irish. He's built thick, possessing a strong lower body and a stout overall frame. Hulak is currently listed at 6-3 and 225 pounds, but he should easily carry at least 250 pounds at the next level.

The Immaculate standout is powerful at the point of attack, possessing the lower body power to explode through contact and the upper body strength to develop into a strong edge setter and block destructor. Hulak also seems to possess the overall length needed to play on the edge in the Irish defense.

When breaking down film the biggest difference between Hulak as a sophomore and a junior is his athleticism. He'll never be an elite athlete by any means, but his overall athletic profile improved quite a bit in 2023. Hulak shows good short-area quickness and change of direction on film. His ability to change direction and explode downhill impressed as a junior, and it projects very well to playing on the edge, where he can fly off the edge with power and also drop and play laterally when needed.

Hulak's ability to play with range is probably the area where he showed the biggest jump this season, and it is an area where he needed growth in order to fit into this role for Notre Dame. We saw him play some on the edge as a junior, and he showed a good burst and the ability to close on the ball. I don't see him being a big time pass rusher, but a strong all-around player on the edge.

NOTRE DAME FIT

Notre Dame doesn't see Hulak as a linebacker, and it doesn't seem to view him as a pure defensive end either, at least not yet. His combination of athleticism, power and experience in coverage and playing in space makes him a bit for the hybrid "Money" position in the Irish defense. That will require him to rush the passer and play the run from the edge, but also to drop into coverage and play in space at times.

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Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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Published
Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter