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The Mike Goolsby Show: Position-by-position breakdown of Notre Dame’s 2023 roster

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer08/13/23

MikeTSinger

Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. (Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Notre Dame captain and linebacker Mike Goolsby talks about the latest news and headlines in the world of Fighting Irish football and recruiting in his YouTube show for Blue & Gold with co-host Mike Singer.

Notre Dame kicks off against Navy in Dublin, Ireland in less than two weeks, and Goolsby goes position-by-position to give his thoughts on each group prior to the kickoff of the season. Who is he excited about? What are the biggest concerns?

It is not a show to miss for Notre Dame fans. Watch it below!

The show begins Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET. If you are unable to watch it live, you can simply watch a replay by clicking play below.

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More on Mike Goolsby

Goolsby, a 2000-04 Fighting Irish linebacker who had a cup of coffee in the NFL, always has carried himself with much self-assurance, and rightfully so. One of the nation’s top recruits in 2000, he would be known in today’s football vernacular as a five-star prospect after making the All-America teams of USA TodayParade and Reebok.

He was one of three freshmen to letter during the 2000 season, playing mainly on special teams. He also lettered as a sophomore while playing behind second-round draft pick Courtney Watson, before cracking the starting lineup as a junior in 2002, next to Watson on the inside.

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That year on a defensive-driven unit that led the way for 8-0 and 10-1 starts, Goolsby ranked third on the team in tackles with 76 and paced the Irish in tackles for loss with 13. That defense finished ninth nationally in fewest points allowed per game (16.7), 10th against the run (95.2 yards allowed per contest) and 13th overall (300.0 yards allowed per game — the best figure since 1996).

Goolsby sat out the 2003 campaign while recovering from a broken clavicle and a torn labrum.

As a fifth-year senior, he led the Irish in tackles with 97 and was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Notre Dame’s 17-13 upset win at No. 9 Tennessee (14 tackles, a sack and a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown).

Goolsby signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and reportedly was the second-highest paid free agent that season. The following year he was with the St. Louis Rams.

He currently works as a sales representative with Patterson Dental as well as hosts private football instruction for recruits in Omaha, Neb., with Game Changers Academy.

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