Notre Dame football defenders who need to step up coming out of the bye week for the elite group

The Notre Dame defense has mostly been very good through the first five games of the season. That unit is only allowing 12.6 points per game so far, including just surrendering 47 percent of opposing quarterback’s passes to be completed. Even when they aren’t clicking on all cylinders, that group is still pretty good.

Unfortunately, the Irish defense is dealing with several injuries, which have made the depth a big issue at a couple of different positions. Luckily for the team, it appears the cornerback position will be okay. Both Benjamin Morrison and Christian Gray are expected to be short term situations, which is great for the back end. There are much more pressing issues on defense.

EDGE Bryce Young

The Notre Dame EDGE group has been pretty awesome this season so far. Unfortunately, injury has hurt that group, with several key losses really compromising the depth. With Jordan Botelho lost for the season, and the injury to Boubacar Traore this past week, the Vyper position is in serious question. The Irish are also still waiting for Joshua Burnham to return.

Right now the only healthy Vypers are Junior Tuihalamaka and Loghan Thomas. It’s possible that Notre Dame leans on those two, and hopes that they take a nice step forward. One option that should be on the table is to give Young a lot more reps, which could allow guys like Burnham or RJ Oben steal some reps at Vyper. Young also has about as much upside as any player on the roster, and should see his reps continue to increase.

LB Drayk Bowen

It feels like every week that Bowen is getting more and more comfortable playing in the middle of the Notre Dame defense. He’s always been a physical and downhill athlete, with explosive straight line speed. The difference the last two weeks is as a playmaker. Bowen seems to be around the ball at a higher rate.

Sometimes we forget that he is only a second-year player and first-year starter. The key is for him to continue improving each week. That growth is evident. Bowen has the chance to be a tremendous player for Notre Dame, and that ascension must continue the next few weeks coming out of the bye.

LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

Jack Kiser has been a good player for Notre Dame over the years, but it’s pretty clear that some of the younger linebackers just bring more playmaking ability to the table. As the season goes on, we should see more and more of Viliamu-Asa. Whether it’s at MIKE or WILL, the California native brings some outstanding upside to the table.

Getting Viliamu-Asa on the field more with Bowen would also be an interesting proposition. We saw against Louisville that he can do a lot of things, including as a traditional run fitter, a blitzer, in coverage, and even coming off the edge. Viliamu-Asa is a special talent.