Position Grades: Linebacker

Clark Lea is the new defensive coordinator for Notre Dame and a big reason why Brian Kelly chose to promote from within is the job that Lea did with the linebacker position in 2017. There was experience returning and it had the potential to be a good group. Lea helped turn it into a great one.

The development of a converted safety and the emergence of a part-time starter becoming an elite player highlight a group that stuck with four core players for most of the season.