Notre Dame's Linebacking Corps Is Living Up To Their Preseason Expectations

Coming into the 2026 season, we knew the Notre Dame linebacking corps was going to be one of the deepest, most talented and most experienced units in the country. First year linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary had plenty of weapons in his arsenal with this experienced room returning to South Bend. The biggest question was if they would live up to their preseason expectations. Now that the Irish are nine games through the regular season, I think it's safe to say that they have. 

The issues the room has faced haven't been due to the level of talent or experience in the room. It's been schematic or injury related. Injuries have been something this room has had to deal with throughout the season. To kick off 2026 junior Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was returning from a torn ACL from 2025. He's now back and has his biggest role since he arrived on campus with senior captain, and middle linebacker, Drayk Bowen out with an ankle injury. 

"We felt it was going to be a seamless transition because he’s had to do that in a smaller sample size, and to do it for four quarters, super, super proud of him," Jean-Mary said about Viliamu-Asa's performance against Miami. "He’s one of the most respected guys on the team. Obviously, you’re never going to replace the leadership and the experience of Drayk, but the guys really respect Kyngstonn because of how he plays and how he communicates with them."

Despite his injury, Bowen still found a way to impact the linebacker room from the sideline throughout the week of practice and on Saturday night when they hosted the No. 1 team in the country. The Indiana native was voted a two-time captain for a reason and Jean-Mary got to see that first hand throughout the week of Miami prep. 

"He might as well put my cap and my whistle on," Jean-Mary shared. "He’s always been respected as the leader of the defense. He had the surgery on Monday, and his goal — told the doctor and told the trainer — I want to make sure I’m out there on Saturday. They told him he had specific things that he had to do during the week, and he hit every one of those boxes and was able to go, you know, six days after surgery and the doctor allowed him to be on the sideline.

"But that’s a testament to Drayk," Jean-Mary continued about the senior captain. "He’s going to do everything he can for the team, and he’s in every meeting asking questions, just like he’s going to get ready to line up on Saturday. I mean, like I said, he’s one of the best ones I’ve ever been around. Not just the player, but the leadership aspect.

Viliamu-Asa stepped up in a big way this past weekend given Bowen's absence and will have to continue to do so for the remainder of the regular season while Bowen continues to work back from injury. But Viliamu-Asa isn't the only player who has stepped up. 5th-year senior Jaylen Sneed has also played high-level football this season, especially when it comes to stopping the run. 

"The biggest thing with Jaylen, he’s playing under control," Jean-Mary explained. "Always been a physical kid. Obviously, super explosive. He’s playing within himself a lot more, and he’s been in position to make a lot more plays. So, his eyes have been much better. Getting himself in position to make plays has probably been where you’ve seen the most growth with him."

This room is exceptionally talented and that was on full display this past weekend. Alongside Viliamu-Asa and Sneed, senior linebacker Jaiden Ausberry and sophomore backer Madden Faraimo also stepped up an made crucial plays. This unit needs to be one of the primary focal points on defense given their talent, experience and depth and Jean-Mary is confident that will continue to happen throughout the season. 

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