INSIDE LOOK: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prepare for Explosive 2025 Season With Revamped and Fierce Linebacker Unit in Spotlight
As the 2025 college football season inches closer, all eyes are on the University of Notre Dame and its historic football program. With every new season comes fresh anticipation, renewed hope, and burning questions. For Notre Dame, one of the most pressing questions revolves around the linebacker corps—a unit that has been a source of both strength and scrutiny in recent years. With a mix of returning talent, promising recruits, and position shuffling, the linebacker room is shaping up to be one of the defining forces behind the Fighting Irish’s quest for dominance in the upcoming campaign.
Notre Dame’s linebacker unit will be led by a combination of experienced veterans and hungry underclassmen, many of whom are poised to break out in a major way. Defensive coordinator Al Golden, now in his third season with the team, has been instrumental in building a defensive identity rooted in toughness, speed, and high football IQ. That identity is most vividly expressed through the linebacker corps—where instinct meets aggression and leadership is forged in every snap.
Among the key returners is Drayk Bowen, a former five-star recruit and now a sophomore with high expectations riding on his shoulders. Bowen appeared in multiple games during his freshman year, flashing glimpses of his ability to diagnose plays quickly and shoot gaps with precision. His sideline-to-sideline speed, combined with his leadership potential, has positioned him as a favorite to start at the Mike linebacker position. Coaches have raved about his offseason development, especially his improved strength and his increased ability to communicate adjustments pre-snap. Bowen has all the tools necessary to become the face of the linebacker group and potentially even the defense as a whole.
Flanking Bowen on the outside will likely be Jaiden Ausberry, another young standout who brings versatility and athleticism. Ausberry, who came into the program with elite recruiting accolades, has shown a natural feel for the game and has bulked up considerably since arriving on campus. While his instincts are top-tier, it’s his coverage ability that has separated him from the rest. In today’s college game—where linebackers are often asked to cover tight ends, slot receivers, or running backs out of the backfield—Ausberry offers a rare blend of physicality and finesse. His quick-twitch explosiveness and fluid hips make him a nightmare matchup for offenses trying to isolate him in coverage.
Then there’s Nolan Ziegler, a player whose name may not have lit up headlines in past seasons but who has quietly put together an impressive résumé. Ziegler enters his junior year with a chip on his shoulder and a reputation for being one of the hardest workers on the team. Whether in practice or limited in-game reps, he has demonstrated a nose for the football. With his motor and gritty style of play, Ziegler figures to be a key rotational piece who could earn significant snaps depending on opponent and scheme.
The Fighting Irish have also benefited from the transfer portal, bolstering their depth with experienced talent. One such acquisition is Jaden Platt, a graduate transfer from a top-tier SEC program. Platt brings with him a wealth of in-game experience and a veteran mindset. While not the flashiest name in the room, his presence could be invaluable in high-pressure moments. He’s expected to serve as both a leader and mentor to younger players, offering guidance that goes beyond the field.
What makes Notre Dame’s 2025 linebacker unit particularly intriguing is the schematic flexibility that Al Golden and head coach Marcus Freeman bring to the table. Freeman, himself a former linebacker and defensive coordinator, has a keen eye for linebacker play. Under his leadership, the defense has often utilized hybrid looks—shifting between a 4-2-5, a 3-3-5, and even some 3-4 packages depending on the opponent. This flexibility demands high football IQ and adaptability from the linebackers, qualities that Freeman and Golden have emphasized in recruiting and development.
Speaking of recruiting, the 2025 class introduces some tantalizing talent to the linebacker room. Chief among them is four-star recruit Kingston Lopa, a West Coast product with tremendous upside. Lopa has been praised for his athleticism, physicality, and ability to rush the passer. While he may not be an immediate starter, the staff believes he has the potential to contribute early, particularly on special teams and in sub-packages. Watching his progression through summer workouts and fall camp will be one of the most anticipated storylines for Irish fans.
Another promising freshman is Bryce Young—not to be confused with the quarterback by the same name. Young is an explosive linebacker out of Texas who led his high school team in tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles. Though slightly undersized, his instincts and fearlessness make up for it. Early buzz out of camp has labeled him a “heat-seeking missile,” someone who always finds himself around the football. Coaches are excited to see how he adjusts to the college level, particularly in pass coverage and gap assignments.
Of course, talent alone won’t be enough to push the Irish to the next level. It will take leadership, consistency, and execution. That’s why the presence of strength coach Matt Balis and his conditioning program is such a vital component. Known for producing physically elite units, Balis has worked tirelessly with the linebackers on building functional strength and endurance. The results are showing—players are quicker, leaner, and more explosive off the snap.
Additionally, the linebacker corps has embraced the “Brick by Brick” mentality that Freeman has instilled throughout the program. Every meeting, lift, practice, and rep is seen as a building block toward a championship culture. That ethos is evident in how the linebackers carry themselves—focused, humble, and hungry. Whether it’s extra film study or additional tackling drills after practice, this group is committed to sharpening every edge.
Chemistry is another underappreciated but crucial element. Bowen, Ausberry, and Ziegler have reportedly grown close off the field, frequently watching film together and mentoring younger players. This camaraderie is expected to translate into better on-field communication and trust. In a unit where a single misread can result in a busted play, such cohesion can be the difference between a stop and a touchdown.
Notre Dame’s 2025 schedule doesn’t offer any easy weeks. With tough matchups against USC, Clemson, Michigan, and Texas A&M, the linebackers will be tested early and often. Whether it’s defending the run against physical fronts or covering elite athletes in space, they will need to rise to the occasion. But with the talent and preparation in place, there’s a growing belief that this linebacker group might not just be good—they could be elite.
The ceiling for this linebacker unit is high. With the right mix of development, injury luck, and execution, it has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. The Irish are counting on this group not just to make tackles but to set the tone, dictate tempo, and lead the defense with authority.
In many ways, the 2025 season will hinge on how well this unit performs. From third-down stops to red zone stands, these linebackers will be in the thick of it all. If they can meet the challenge—and all signs point to them being ready—then Notre Dame may very well find itself in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation come December.
With depth, experience, youthful talent, and elite coaching, Notre Dame’s linebacker corps is not just a group to watch—they may be the group that defines the season.
