It had to happen eventually. In 2025, Notre Dame was going into a season without veteran linebacker Jack Kiser who came off the board in the 4th round of the NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There was little panic in South Bend, though. New defensive coordinator Chris Ash was walking into one of the country’s best young linebacker rooms. Was he able to convert that talent into production along with linebackers coach Max Bullough?
Steady State
So many of our 2025 review articles start with how a unit performed in the two opening losses to Miami and Texas A&M. Looking back at the reviews, I gave the linebackers a C+ against the Canes and a grade of B against the Aggies. I went back and re-watched the Miami game and maybe I was being a little harsh with that grade?
The big thing was that we expected tip-top play from the linebackers heading into the season and we didn’t quite get that right away.
However, I’d argue there was no steadier and more consistent unit than the linebackers among the whole Notre Dame defense. Their base level of competency was very high and they turned into some of the biggest playmakers on the team.
Snaps
With the old Rover position essentially gone from Notre Dame’s defense, the linebackers relied on 4 core players for 2025 while working in a 5th in spots. Team captain Drayk Bowen logged the most snaps, an impressive feat considering he played most of the season with a torn labrum in his hip.
Bowen played hurt in 2025.
KVA was one of the country’s top sophomores but a torn knee in the penultimate game of the season dropped him down to 3rd in snaps among the Irish linebackers. Once a bit player for a specific role, Jaiden Ausberry really blossomed as a more traditional inside linebacker. His snap count went way up from 2024 and he finished third on the team in tackles.
| PLAYER | SNAPS |
|---|---|
| Drayk Bowen | 585 |
| Jaiden Ausberry | 437 |
| Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa | 435 |
| Jaylen Sneed | 313 |
| Madden Faraimo | 144 |
| Kahanu Kia | 33 |
| Teddy Rezac | 17 |
| Bodie Kahoun | 3 |
| Ko’o Kia | 2 |
| Jerry Rullo | 1 |
Of course, there wasn’t much room for any younger linebackers to see the field. True freshman Madden Faraimo was the exception seeing plenty of snaps in his first season–a sign of his value within the program.
Several linebackers ended up transferring out with the lack of opportunity. Bodie Kahoun is seeking more playing time at Boston College, Anthony Sacca transferred to UCLA, while Preston Zinter was quietly moved from linebacker to defensive end before leaving for Rice where he’s reportedly getting a look at tight end for the Owls.
Grade: A
I debated between A and A- for this grade. I ultimately went with the higher grade for multiple reasons. One, I was impressed with the player development and getting the likes of Ausberry and Sneed to fit into more traditional roles besides “play on the perimeter and cause some havoc.” Had he been able to make the pass break up at the end of the A&M game, this could’ve been a hell of a year for Bowen playing through injury. Super sophomore KVA finished the year with some of the best PFF grades in the nation.
Plus, this unit had 4 out of the team’s top 6 players in tackles for loss. They provided very good run support and brought a lot of playmaking and aggressiveness in the backfield. Now they just have to get healthy for 2026.
