Newsstand: Notre Dame football player named ‘freshman to know’ in 2024
Notre Dame football’s 2024 recruiting class has been official for about a month. Even though the program’s first game is still another eight months away, it is never too early to discuss a few names to know from this year’s additions.
ESPN staff writer Tom VanHaaren did just that by naming 12 true freshmen to know in 2024. Irish four-star linebacker signee Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, a product of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco cracked the list.
“Viliamu-Asa is a 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker whom the Notre Dame staff is very excited about,” VanHaaren said. “He’s a middle linebacker but moves like an outside linebacker. He can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it’s in coverage, run stop or getting after the quarterback.
“He led his team in tackles this season with 114, and also had one interception, three pass breakups and 13 tackles for loss. Viliamu-Asa should be someone who sees the field very early in his career given his production and how well he is suited to be an every-down linebacker.”
Viliamu-Asa arrived in South Bend earlier this month after a decorated high school career. Among his many accomplishments, the Butkus Award — presented to the nation’s top linebacker — named him a finalist for the achievement.
Despite not playing his sophomore season due to a torn ACL, Viliamu-Asa registered 253 tackles (110 solo), 22.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 caused fumble in 32 high school games.
The On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — considers the four-star prospect the No. 63 overall player, No. 6 linebacker and No. 5 prospect in California.
Viliamu-Asa signed with the Irish over offers from 27 other schools, including Ohio State and Southern California.
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Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend
“Notre Dame isn’t a school you can go to just to fool around. You have to go there and be focused — really see what you want to do with your life. That degree is life-changing, and it’s not for everyone.”
— 2025 top 150 four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng — the half-brother of former Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah — following his first trip to South Bend.
Notre Dame Headlines of the Weekend
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- How Notre Dame ‘felt like home’ for top 150 LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
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