Notre Dame returns a ton of experience on the defensive side of the ball from a unit which only surrendered 19.7 points per game last season. The Irish finished that 2021 campaign ranked 15th in scoring defense, and did not lose too much in the way of experience.
Kyle Hamilton was an all-world type of player at safety, but he only played in seven games. And Drew White was a steadying presence and fine player at linebacker, but he is the only player among ND’s top five leading tacklers who did not return to South Bend.