We've been very bullish this season around Notre Dame 's linebacking corps. They're the best unit in the country when you factor in talent, depth and experience. New linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary has a host of talent at his disposal this year and no shortage of experience. All five players impact players from last season return including senior Jaiden Ausberry who's been one of the most underrated members of the Fighting Irish defense.
Over the last two years, the Louisiana native has racked up 107 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He started the final 10 games of the regular season and is poised for a strong 2026. Ausberry has grown immensely during his time at Notre Dame, especially against the run.
"I think I've grown the most in the run game," Ausberry shared. "I think when I came here, my pass game has always been my strong suit. I think my run game has always been something that I needed to develop. But ever since I started playing in 2024, it's gotten better along with me getting stronger. The tempo of the game is slowing down too so I think I've really been growing in that area of the game.
He's certainly not wrong. To go along with his gaudy stat line, Ausberry has also recorded 50 run stops according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-1, 226-pound backer also received a lot of reps at Mike linebacker this spring with Drayk Bowen out. That experience will prove to pay major dividends this fall for the fourth-year linebacker.
"I think it definitely helped playing some Mike," Ausberry stated when asked how this spring helped his game develop. "That was my first time playing the linebacker role. In the past I've usually always played Will. I think Coach BJ has done a really good job of letting everybody play both Mike and Will because you never know what could happen. But it's also good to know both positions and learn how to play both. I really felt comfortable playing the Mike position."
Ausberry isn't the only player on the team who's game is starting to rise. He's extremely high on the rest of the room with players like Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bowen returning to health. Junior Teddy Rezac is also a player who's caught Ausberry's attention this offseason and it could lead to him contributing this fall.
"Teddy's really gotten a lot better," Ausberry shared. "He's putting on weight, he's asking questions trying to learn the game and watching us older guys do it. Even from the spring to now he's even developed. His knowledge of the game is growing and he looks a lot more comfortable out there. It looks like the game is slowing down for him so he's really getting better every day."
His praise for the younger players in the linebacker room doesn't end with Rezac. Notre Dame brought in two freshman linebackers who were both four-star recruits coming out of high school. We saw Thomas Davis Jr. in the spring and fall camp is our first opportunity to see Ohio native Jakobe Clapper. Ausberry believes they're developing at a great rate as well.
"I think it's slowing down for them a lot, especially TD (Thomas Davis) with the reps he had in the spring," Ausberry explained. "I haven't really got to watch Jakobe because he didn't play in the spring, but he has a very good football IQ. Watching them get better, watching them get coached and watching the game slow down for them is really good. I feel like they're going to continue getting better too."
This is a big year for the Notre Dame linebacking corps. With returning veterans like Ausberry, Bowen, Viliamu-Asa, Jaylen Sneed and rising star Madden Faraimo, this unit is in position to do great things for the Fighting Irish defense. Ausberry might be one of the most underrated members of this unit, but that's likely to come to an end with another strong performance in 2026.
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