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The best returning player Notre Dame faces at every defensive position in 2022

photos -jpgby:Ashton Pollard•03/03/22•

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Bryan Bresee is one of the nation's top returning defensive linemen. (Photo: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While many of the defensive players the Irish face in 2021 are not household names, they may become just that by the end of 2022. Notre Dame faces multiple all-conference players and a handful of Freshman All-Americans with a schedule full of top matchups this fall.

Earlier this week, I looked at the top returning offensive players the Irish have on the 2022 schedule. Here is a look at the top returning defenders.

Note: This list does not include any incoming true freshmen. 

Defensive lineman — Clemson’s Bryan Bresee

Bresee returns for his third year at Clemson after an ACL injury caused him to miss the majority of the 2021 season. The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 class was selected as a third-team All-ACC player last year despite on playing in four games. He recorded 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception. Bresee started 10 games as a freshman in 2020 and notched 33 tackles, four sacks, two passes broken up and a forced fumble. The Notre Dame offensive line will need to be on their “A” game on Nov. 5 to stop him.

Honorable mention: USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu, Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams

EDGE — Ohio State’s Zach Harrison

After a junior season in which he was voted a captain, Harrison is back for his senior year. The 6-foot-5, 253-pounder is menacing and has all of the tools to be great. He had 33 tackles, four passes broken up, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, indicating he can do it all.

Honorable mention: Clemson’s Myles Murphy, Boston College’s Marcus Valdez

Linebacker — Syracuse’s Mikel Jones

The first-team All-ACC selection is back for his fourth year after an impressive sophomore campaign. Jones compiled 109 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery in 2021, and he had six games with double-digit tackles. Against Pittsburgh in Syracuse’s season finale, Jones posted 16 tackles. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound player was a four-star recruit out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy in 2019.

Honorable mention: Clemson’s Trenton Simpson, Marshall’s Abraham Beuplan

Cornerback — Ohio State’s Denzel Burke

Denzel Burke was a constant workhorse for Ohio State in 2021. He has played 734 snaps for the Buckeyes — the most on the team. Burke had one interception and nine passes broken up, and opposing quarterbacks completed just 48.4 percent of their passes when throwing his way, as per Pro Football Focus. The true freshman looks to be the next top corner for Ryan Day’s program after earning Freshman All-America honors from numerous organizations, including the Football Writers Association of America.

Honorable mention: Syracuse’s Duce Chestnut, Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly

Safety — Clemson’s Andrew Mukuba

Like Burke, Mukuba was a Freshman All-American in 2021, and he is set for another fantastic season this fall. He missed just three tackles last season, finishing with 47 total stops and a sack. He played in a reserve capacity for a portion of 2021, but expect the him to be a full-time starter for the Tigers in 2022.

Honorable mention: USC’s Calen Bullock, Cal’s Daniel Scott

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