Entering the 2025 season, there was a lot of talk around the Notre Dame linebacking corps. This unit returns every key piece from their run in 2024 except Jack Kiser who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Junior Drayk Bowen, redshirt junior Jaylen Sneed, redshirt sophomore Jaiden Ausberry and sophomore Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa headline this talented bunch while true freshman Madden Faraimo has made his presence felt in the room as well. Yesterday, linebackers coach Max Bullough talked through some of the key areas this group has ascended.
"That was one of his most complete, physical and square games that he’s played," Bullough said about Sneed. "The stop on 3rd-and-5 when he knocked the guy back was, to me, the play of the game. I know No. 12 helped him late, but him getting over there square and knocking the guy back is what we’ve talked about with him. It’s getting there. You have to be in the right position and that’s what I’m so proud of him for on that play."
Many people, myself included, have been waiting for Sneed to become a complete every-down linebacker and we're starting to see more and more of that as the season progresses. One player we've seen a lot of that has been extremely impressive this year has been Viliamu-Asa, which is no surprise based on his freshman year last year.
"You pretty much see everything he's got on Saturdays man," Bullough explained. "He can make plays at a lot of different spots whether it's on the line of scrimmage blitzing or playing stack linebacker. He can move; his shoulder and hip separation is second to none. I don't think Kyngstonn is hiding anything from anybody. You're seeing what Kyngstonn is an he's a special player."
The linebacker's work in pass coverage has improved since the season has gone on, specially Bowen and Viliamu-Asa. Both players have stepped up their game since the start of the 2025 season and their coach has taken notice.
"Their balanced," Bullough said. "They play on the soles of their feet; they’re square. They’re covering a tight end and are able to absorb the contact and then open their hips and run with him. They’re calm, they’re confident and they’ve done it before. They have the ability to move their hips so it’s not as scary for them if someone gets on top of them because they can turn and run, but the leverage and stuff and where you align, those things matter. And football guys, like most of the room, is getting themselves in the best position pre-snap, and from there, it’s just go cover it."
Notre Dame's linebacking corps has really turned things around since the start of the season. They've been allowed to play freely and more violent with each passing game. As things stand right now, three of the top five tacklers on the team, statistically, are in the linebacking unit and two of the top three team leaders in tackles for a loss are also linebackers. The month of November will be crucial for their development and put this group in prime position to have a strong post season.
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