Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser Embracing Veteran Role Heading into 2024
Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser was fresh off his most productive season, but the Indiana native had a decision to make.
On the table was year six at Notre Dame while the other choice was an opportunity to pursue his NFL future after tallying 59 tackles this past season.
The 6-foot-1, 232-pounder took his time and did his research before announcing he would return to Notre Dame in 2024.
“There's a lot of factors and I had a lot of conversations, trying to pick out people that I felt, had my best interest in kind of the environment I was operating in,” Kiser stated. “I think ultimately I got some advice that they were saying, like, if you feel there's anything left that you haven't accomplished, or anything left that still needs to be done at Notre Dame—It’s like there's no wrong decision—but coming back to Notre Dame is obviously not a bad decision.
“I think I can still become a better football player. I think that this team can do something really special and I want to be a part of it.”
There were several serious discussions, but Kiser also had some lighthearted discussions with guys who had already played six years in college to gain a feel of being the oldest guy in the room.
“I asked DJ (Brown) if was it weird coming back and he said he’d do it again,” explained Kiser. “I asked Sam (Hartman) how it felt to be 24 in a locker room with 18-year-olds. We have a 17-year-old (CJ Carr) today. Those conversations helped too.”
Notre Dame got a boost on the defensive line when Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills announced they would also return in 2024.
The three veterans didn’t make decisions based on each other, but at the same time, Al Golden’s defense and each individual will benefit from the other returning.
“It wasn’t a big part of my decision but realistically, who’s going to line up in front of me, who’s going to line up beside me and who’s going to make the calls on the back end,” Kiser stated. “That's a big deal because when you play on a great defense, it allows you to be a better football player as well. So it's important, but at the same time, like I wasn't gonna base my decision on what Howie and Rylie did.
“There's a lot of excitement behind that and realizing that you'll have another year with the guys that you've been here for so long with. There is a time where you're thinking alright, ‘if I come back next year, like JD (Bertrand) is leaving Marist (Liufau) is leaving, Cam (Hart) is leaving, like who's going to be left? Who am I going to hang out with that are older guys?’”
When it comes to enhancing his game and role, it might still be too early to know where Kiser fits into the defense. The good news for Golden is Kiser can play all three linebacker spots, so if someone else can’t find success, the savvy veteran can be the ultimate trump card.
“Whatever I can make plays at and whatever will help the defense,” Kiser said of his position in 2024. “If that’s something like a Rover on some downs and then moving to Will or playing Mike, who knows? Whatever I can do to help the defense and make sure we can wreak havoc and dominate.”
What’s his best position? Even Kiser feels that could be determined in the spring as he’ll get more reps at each.
“You could say Will, but the Mike and the Will do so much of the same stuff,” explained Kiser. “It really depends on the picture. My best position is playing off the ball and seeing the play and recognizing it and playing downhill and fast.”
The one known heading into the 2024 season is the Notre Dame linbacker crops will go from one of the most experienced in America to one of the youngest. Jaylen Sneed, Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, Preston Zinter and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will all be looking for reps, which will provide an intriguing competition.
Kiser sees the potential and knows it will be on him to help the group reach its ceiling in the coming months.
“Sneed has really good athleticism,” said Kiser. “Our goal is to find one-on-one matchups for him to go win. The freshmen, what’s stuck out is their ability to be coached and to learn. We’re headed into bowl prep and they’ve developed so much since fall camp. It’s unbelievable.
“Drayk Bowen is able to go on the field and run the defense. Ausberry and Zinter can come in and run a role and do a job and communicate with other people, whereas in fall camp, you didn’t know what was going to happen with other people out there.
“They’ve come so far. They’re still young kids. They’re still 18 years old, but to realize they have another spring, another summer, and another fall camp before they have a shot to go show the world what they can do, so it’s very exciting.”
Career Stats
Tackles: 182
Tackles for Loss: 10.5
Pass Breakups: 6
Forced Fumbles: 4
Sacks: 3.5
Interceptions: 4
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