Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser: Mr. Consistent

By Matt Freeman

August 9, 2022

4,179

It's go time for Notre Dame and it doesn't take long to see the Irish are motivated by the Fiesta Bowl performance in January.

Senior linebacker Jack Kiser spoke on Monday afternoon with a quiet confidence as the Ohio State game looms less than a month from now.

"Everyone is excited to get the season started," Kiser stated. "It's been a long time since that Fiesta Bowl, so guys are eager to get back in here and get work and show we've improved to take that next step."

Notre Dame's coaching staff underwent significant changes over the last eight months. The linebacker room saw Marcus Freeman leave to become the head coach while Al Golden and James Laurinaitis entered.

Change isn't always easy, but Golden and Laurinaitis have not only made a smooth transition, but Kiser and the other linebackers have embraced the mental challenges tossed their way.

"Having that pro experience is invaluable," explained Kiser. "To have them in the film room every single day - what more could you ask for? It's the little things. Situational football is the next level. The 500 level is what we say all the time.

"That knowledge, you can't put a price tag on that."

Kiser has also seen his game improve under Golden. It starts with small details.

"At the point of attack, I feel like using my hands, being physical, block destruction has been the emphasis," stated Kiser. "As a team, the linebackers in total have also done better with that."

Rover has been Kiser’s home over the last year and while he’s cross-training at all three linebacker spots, Golden plans to keep him there as the production speaks for itself.

"He could play a bunch of different positions,” Golden said. “We're just cross-training a lot of guys right now. He's a natural Rover. He has a lot of reps built up there, but he could play them all. He's a very smart young man and great to work with."

The Indiana native has done the little details to make the big play happen. Kiser is one of the nation's best tacklers as he's missed just three tackles in his career, but don't think he's satisfied.

"I really think, fortunately enough, I take good angles and I'm in the right spot at the right time," Kiser said of what makes a good tackler. "When I grab on, I'm not going to let go. I've been lucky to be able to finish - three too many. Hopefully, we can shrink that down and be at zero and be perfect in tackling because you have to be.

"One missed tackle can be the start of a huge play."

As a Midwest guy, Kiser also knows the magnitude of Notre Dame's week one clash with Ohio State.

Notre Dame hasn't started game prep, but the Irish have also made sure they are preparing for the atmosphere in Columbus.

"Communication," Kiser stated. "When you're playing in The Shoe, it's going to be loud. You have to be able to communicate at the highest level. We're working on that now in practice. We have the volume turned all the way up. I can barely hear other people and we're making sure everyone is on the same page.

"Week one, tackling, communication and eliminating mistakes is the most important thing."

And when it comes to Kiser’s goals for 2022, the 6-foot-1, 223-pounder is keeping it simple.

"The goal of this program is to win a National Championship and that's not going to change ever," said Kiser.

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