Marcus Freeman breaks down versatility of linebacker position

Notre Dame returned multiple pieces to their linebacker room this offseason. Adding a couple of transfers and now seeing production from younger players — head coach Marcus Freeman is liking what he’s seeing from his linebackers thus far through fall camp.

“We know what Marist [Liufau] can do, and we know what [Jack] Kiser can do. They can play multiple positions, right? They can play true linebacker. Marist is a guy we can use the rush off the edge. We used him last year to rush in some passing situations,” Freeman said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “You’re going to need three guys for sure. If we’re in nickel, you start at two positions. You’re going to need that rotation, and all three of those guys can play either position in our linebacker room and nickel.

“Your other part, you’ve got to be able to have some depth. Jaylen Sneed‘s got to help us. Jaylen Sneed is going to give us, really, depth at linebacker and in rushing situations like he did for South Carolina.”

Kiser is at his best in the pass-rush game, which Liufau dominates in coverage. Liufau led all Power Five linebackers in both yards per coverage snap allowed (0.17) and passer rating allowed (35.4) in 2022, per Pro Football Focus, who also rated the Irish linebackers room the seventh strongest in the country. Sneed was a top-35 recruit in 2022 and looks to prove his worth after his transfer.

JD Bertrand also returns to join Kiser and Liufau as three starters who used their covid season of extra eligibility. On top of that, Freeman revealed that some true freshman have impressed him enough to have their names thrown in the mix now.

“The other guy that have really showed, there’s two young guys, Drayk Bowen has really ran with the twos for the most part of fall camp and done a really good job, especially being a freshman. And Jaiden Ausberry, too,” Freeman said. “I think those two guys are both freshmen that you’re truly going to count on. And we’ll see what [Preston] Zinter ends up doing as the season progresses.

“We’re going to need a lot of people out of that linebacker room to play multiple positions.”

With the strong linebacking core leading Notre Dame’s defensive effort, the Irish will head to Dublin, Ireland to open their season in a special Week Zero matchup on Aug. 26 against the Navy Midshipmen.