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Newsstand: Former Notre Dame LB JD Bertrand reveals two Irish coaches compared him to NFL LB

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•01/29/24•

ByKyleKelly

JD Bertrand
Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand (right) with former graduate assistant linebackers coach James Laurinaitis (left) at spring practice on March 17, 2022. (Chad Weaver/Blue & Gold)

Notre Dame football linebacker JD Bertrand’s college career is over. And his professional career is just beginning.

On Tuesday, practices for the Reese’s Senior Bowl commence. Bertrand is one of four former Fighting Irish standouts who will play in the game. Cornerback Cam Hart, quarterback Sam Hartman, and linebacker Marist Liufau will represent Notre Dame in the collegiate all-star game.

Ahead of it, Justin Melo of The Draft Network interviewed Bertrand. The former Notre Dame captain revealed in it that defensive coordinator Al Golden and former graduate assistant linebackers coach James Laurinaitis compared him to the same NFL linebacker. 

“I actually asked my coaches at the end of last season who I reminded them of,” Bertrand told Melo. “There are so many linebackers out there, and I wanted to identify some like-minded guys I could study.

“My coaches began thinking of NFL comparisons that look just like me. I specifically asked James Laurinaitis and Al Golden, two pretty well-respected guys. In separate conversations, they both said Sean Lee.

“I thought that was crazy. Neither party was aware the other had said Sean Lee. I eventually got in contact with both Sean Lee and Luke Kuechly. I managed to create a relationship with them over the past year. I’ve picked their brains on what made them successful. We talked about how they watched film Monday through Sunday.

“I took everything I learned from those conversations and applied it. The long answer to your question is I portray myself in a similar light to Sean Lee.”

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Sean Lee at No. 55 overall out of Penn State in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played 10 seasons professionally and was a two-time Pro Bowler. Lee was also All-Big Ten twice during his college career.

In five seasons for Notre Dame, Bertrand played 40 games and registered 267 tackles (156 solo), 22.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 9 pass breakups. He also forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble. 

College football analyst Phil Steele named Bertrand All-Independent first team in 2022. He was also named to the Butkus Award watch list — which honors the nation’s top linebacker — before the 2023 season. 

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Afterward, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recognized former Irish safety Kyle Hamilton, who plays for the Ravens. 

ESPN’s Pat McAfee also recognized Hamilton.

Current Irish running backs coach Deland McCullough served as the Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2018-20. 

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“She has a variety of ways to score. She’s obviously playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. It took a lot of guts to come in here and do what she did. She’s damn good, right?”

—Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma after Notre Dame freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo scored 34 points in an 82-67 victory over the Huskies on Saturday.

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