Notre Dame LB Jaylen Sneed Working Hard, Embracing Competition & Culture

Linebacker Jaylen Sneed probably has known Marcus Freeman longer than anyone on the Notre Dame roster. 

Freeman, while at Cincinnati, offered Sneed in the summer of 2019 and the two have developed a strong relationship ever since. 

"He's a down to earth and humble guy," Sneed stated. "He's taught me a lot even though I've only known him for two years or so. Getting to meet his family and see how cool they were was a great experience - and him being a great guy and a father figure to me." 

Sneed played quarterback, defensive end, linebacker, and safety at Hilton Head High School (S.C.) and the former composite five-star feels his game can take off with a singular focus. 

"I think it's great for me because I've never really got to play just linebacker," explained Sneed. "I want to know how good I can get at just playing linebacker by practicing one position. I think it will be good for me knowing that I haven't reached my full potential yet." 

Notre Dame will open spring practice next month and Sneed should have a chance to prove himself early. 

The South Carolina native also knows he'll have to work hard as the Irish defense has several linebackers with experience returning. 

"My goal is definitely to maybe be a player in the rotation this year," Sneed stated. "I plan to get there by working hard in workouts and trying to be the best I can be by just being explosive and working hard." 

The Irish have yet to hire a linebacker coach, but the veterans have made sure to take the 6-foot-1, 198-pounder under their wing. 

"I don't have a position coach yet, but my teammates have taken me in as one of their own," said Sneed. "They've taught me a lot about family and how the Notre Dame football program is run. They've taught me to put my head down and keep working hard." 

Sneed has also enjoyed being around his fellow early enrollees and that includes the nation's top linebacker class as Joshua Burnham, Junior Tuihalamaka and Nolan Ziegler are on campus. 

"We're definitely like brothers," said Sneed. "We've been talking for a couple months on a group chat and once we got here, we all meshed together. I feel competing against them is great competition because they're all just as good and work as hard as me." 

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