Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau: 'I missed hitting people'

By Matt Freeman

August 9, 2022

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Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau was the talk of the first few weeks of preseason camp last August. The Hawaii native not only flashed in multiple practices, but he was almost unblockable.

Liufau then suffered a broken ankle in the middle of camp, which ended his season before the first game of the year.

Fast forward a 12 months and Liufau is back on the field with a great appreciation of simply being able to play football.

“Not being able to play puts things in perspective that things can be taken away from you in an instant,” Liufau said on Monday. “Being out here every day, I'm grateful to take every rep I can."

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is limiting reps for Liufau early in camp as the staff wants to be cautious with the budding star and the 6-foot-2, 235-pounder full understands the big picture as the Irish are less than a week into camp.

"Basically, if I was to take six reps, I will take three,” stated Liufau. “I'm working up to be cautious in my transition back to football."

Liufau is known for his bone-crushing style of play, but the last year has allowed him to focus on the mental aspect of the game as he could only watch the games and practices from the sideline.

"I think I definitely studied a lot more,” explained Liufau. “That's the only thing I could do. I couldn't do anything physical in practice, so I was just watching and being observant. That's helped me improve a lot this season."

Irish graduate assistant James Laurinaitis has been with the program for eight months and he’s seen Liufau take multiple steps forward in his game, which likely leads to the breakout season the senior backer should have had last fall.

"You'll feel Marist when live periods come up,” stated Laurinaitis. “What I love about him is you have to reign him back because we have to be able to practice and protect your teammates. The sky is the limit with his potential.

"He's long and he's able to be on the ball, off the ball, play in space and he's smart. I love his attitude. Today, he came up to me and said, 'Hey. Make sure if I'm not bursting to the ball, let me know.'

"It's a constant commitment to want to be better. Some of that is obviously what happened a year ago with the injury, but it's all about making sure he's fully locked in day in and day out. He's been great. The potential with him - he's a special talent."

Liufau is also quick to point out he’s learned a great deal from Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who coached linebackers for the Bengals last year, and Laurinaitis as both bring a wealth of knowledge to his position.

"Stacking every day is so important,” Liufau said. “Going out there and doing what you have to do even when you don't feel like it is the main thing they've taught me. Working harder every day."

The trip to Columbus is now on the horizon and Liufau admitted there is a sense of urgency around the program as they know what awaits.

"Every opponent we respect and we prepare the same way for everyone,” Liufau stated. “There is always a high urgency around here every week. We take it day by day."

And on September 3rd, Liufau will make his return to the field and it’s a day he’s patiently waited for.

“I missed running around with my teammates,” said Liufau. “I missed being out there with them. It kind of felt like I wasn't as involved as much because I couldn't practice and play.

"I missed hitting people too."