Marcus Freeman has stockpiled elite linebacker talent at Notre Dame, creating a roster logjam. Discover how the Irish plan to rotationally deploy their most prolific and deepest unit.
From the moment Marcus Freeman arrived at Notre Dame the ability to recruit linebackers year after year has become a program strength. That success means Notre Dame heads into the 2026 with arguably the most loaded linebacker depth chart in all of college football. In fact, the problem for Notre Dame is how do they get all their talented linebackers on the field.
Let's take a look at the post-spring depth chart for the Fighting Irish linebackers:
RETURNING PRODUCTION
Drayk Bowen - 67 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 4 break ups
Jaiden Ausberry - 51 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa - 48 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 2 break ups
Jaylen Sneed - 35 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Madden Faraimo - 16 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 break up
Kahanu Kia - 9 tackles
Teddy Rezac - 4 tackles, 1.0 TFL
Ko'o Kia - 1 tackle
STARTERS
Notre Dame returns its starting linebackers from last season and there's no reason to think that duo will change. Despite missing the spring, senior Drayk Bowen returns to the starting lineup at Mike, and he'll likely be a team captain for a second straight year. Bowen battled a hip injury in 2025 and it also took him and the rest of the linebackers time to get comfortable in the Chris Ash defense. The offseason surgery fixed the hip issue and Bowen was much more effective in the Ash defense in the final five games. In fact, if you project his season totals based on production in the final five games, Bowen would be among the top returning LBs in the country in run stops.
Classmate Jaiden Ausberry started the final 10 games of the season, and he's one of the most underrated players on the Irish defense. Injuries to teammates forced Ausberry to play Mike during the spring, and that experience should benefit him as he slides back out to the Will spot this spring.
ELITE DEPTH
Bowen is locked in as the starter at Mike, but there could be a battle for who starts at Will. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter who starts, because Notre Dame will likely play five linebackers as part of their loaded depth chart. They certainly did that last season, and none of the linebackers in the rotation are gone.
Fifth-year senior Jaylen Sneed started the first two games at Will last season and he was the first team Will this spring with Ausberry playing Mike. Whether he starts or not, Sneed will certainly be part of the rotation and likely also have an opportunity to get into the sub packages on third down.
Junior Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa would have a legitimate shot to force his way into the starting lineup if not for a knee injury that cost him the final game of the 2025 season, cost him all spring and could possibly have him a bit limited early in fall camp. But as soon as he's healthy, Viliamu-Asa will be right back in the rotation. He's a unique backer that can play Mike, Will and he's a monster in the sub packages as a pass rusher. Even if he doesn't start, don't be surprised if a healthy Viliamu-Asa earns the second most snaps at linebacker.
Sophomore Madden Faraimo forced his way onto the field as a true freshman despite the talented older depth on the roster. I expect him to continue that role in 2026 as he prepares to become a future star once the older players are in the NFL. Faraimo is just too good to keep off the field, and he too can play both Mike and Will.
Redshirt sophomore Teddy Rezac earned plenty of reps this spring due to so many players being out with injuries, and he impressed. Cracking the LB rotation will be tough, but he adds great depth and I expect him to be a specials teams standout. The same is true for redshirt freshman Ko'o Kia, who had plenty of flashy moments for the Irish defense this spring. His older brother - Kahanu Kia - has always produced when he gets on the field as well. All three will likely be impact players for the Irish special teams this season.
YOUNG PLAYERS WILL GET TIME
Notre Dame signed a pair of four-star linebackers in the 2026 class in Thomas Davis Jr. and Jakobe Clapper. Both will need time to fill out, learn the defense and evolve their games, but both have the talent to become starters down the road. Clapper was out this spring but Davis had some moments this spring that showed off his potential. The good news for both players is they won't be needed in 2026, so they can take their time to learn the defense, develop their technique and grow in the strength program.
PAST DEPTH CHARTS
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