Jaylen Sneed Returns to Notre Dame Chasing National Championship in Final Season
Notre Dame linebacker Jaylen Sneed is back in South Bend for a fifth season.
The South Carolina native could have tested the NFL waters or cashed in elsewhere, with plenty of programs eager to add his skill set. Instead, Sneed made a different choice rooted in unfinished business.
“All my guys stayed,” stated Sneed. “I just know in my heart that we have a chance at winning a national championship. That's been my ultimate goal since I got here. Just coming back for this fifth year, I felt like this is probably one of our best teams I've been a part of, especially with all the people on offense, all the people on defense coming back, I feel like it would be stupid of me not to come back and try to play for a national championship.”
Sneed will also have a somewhat fresh start as he enters his final year of college, with new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary joining the program.
The two had a close relationship during Sneed’s recruitment, which involved Jean-Mary almost convincing the former five-star to take a visit to Tennessee after committing to Notre Dame.
“It's been great,” said Sneed. “He's been adamant about us getting better. He's been adamant about it not being last year and ways we can get better. He's been adamant about us meeting and really learning the little things.
“He wants us to learn formations and what the quarterback does, what the O-linemen are looking at. Just small things like that that have really helped me.”
That familiarity has allowed the two to hit the ground running, building a strong relationship both on and off the field.
“He's intense,” Sneed explained. “He's a guy who is going to tell you all his stories. He's just a very easy guy to connect with, especially for me with him being at all the Southern schools. Him knowing about the South, we always connect about that. Pretty much he's just a great guy. Very intense.”
The Irish defense has a different feel with three new position coaches, but Chris Ash returns as the defensive coordinator.
Sneed feels the newness of having a new staff, but there hasn’t been an adjustment period, given that Ash is still running the show.
“I feel like there's no drop off,” Sneed explained. “I feel like (Marcus) Freeman always preaches about if people leave, he's going to bring people in just as good or, if not even better. I feel like we've brought in just as good of coaches.
“All of them are going to hold us to the standard that our old coaches were holding us to. I feel like that's the best part about it.”
The Irish return significant production on defense, including 2025 captains Drayk Bowen and Adon Shuler. With Bowen sidelined this spring, Sneed has embraced a larger leadership role, something that began during winter training.
“I feel like me being a fifth year and me being here for so long, me knowing the standard,” stated Sneed. “I don't remember how big the freshman class was, but I just feel like it's my duty, my job, to instill the standard into them and show them what the older guys showed me when I was a younger guy.”
That growth has extended to his personal development as well.
During a recent team exercise, Sneed partnered with fellow linebacker Jaiden Ausberry, who challenged him to improve his footwork and finishing ability.
“We actually did this thing called partners,” recalled Sneed. “We basically tell each other what we can get better at. Me and Aus are partners.
“Basically, he told me I need to get better with my footwork and then finishing on plays. Finishing tackles inside-out, keeping my feet apart, making sure I'm shuffling, making sure I'm coming downhill the right way and stuff like that.”
It’s quite a change in approach for Sneed, who might not have been open to hearing those words from a coach or peer early in his career.
As an older player, he understands the value of learning what he can improve.
“I feel like it's so much different coming from a coach because it's coming from someone in your position,” Sneed said. “They see it differently than the coach and they see it differently than you. It's coming from him, and him being one of my best friends, he just wants the best for me.
“I just know it's coming from a good place. It's coming from a place of constructive criticism. He also wants us to be the best team in the country, so why would I not listen to him?”
That belief is shared across the roster and it’s a big reason why so many key pieces returned.
“First year having our returning quarterback, CJ (Carr), coming back,” stated Sneed. “Our O-line is all together. We have a lot of returning receivers. Just like the returning production. I saw on Instagram the other day that we have No. 1 production coming back. Just seeing that, knowing I made the best decision, because all my guys, all the people that made plays, all the people that are going to continue to make plays are here.”
The goal is clear. But in April, Sneed knows championships aren’t won by looking too far ahead.
“The ultimate goal is the NFL and winning a national championship, but that's not what success is built on,” said Sneed. “I feel like just me being able to play to my best ability and also getting my teammates to play to their best ability. With me being a linebacker, just bringing the team along and being able to be a leader and stuff like that.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour Tech Stretch T-Shirt
