Players Lost - Carlos Pierre Antoine, Justin Thomas, Pat Ryan. Of the three linebackers Notre Dame is losing, they lose no real big play makers from a year ago. Carlos Pierre Antonie never lived up the the hype and Thomas and Ryan were solid role players during their time at Notre Dame. The three made contributions on special teams that will need to be replaced, but Notre Dame doesn't lose any of its starters from a year ago. Pierre Antonie backed up Mike Goolsby last season so a backup role will be up for grabs. Unlike in the secondary were Notre Dame lost two of its big play guys, Notre Dame returns all its top talent at this position.

Players Returning - Mike Goolsby, Derek Curry, Courtney Watson, Corey Mays, Brandon Hoyte, Jerome Collins. Goolsby, Watson, and Curry were Notre Dame's starters last year and all are back. There is a big question mark surrounding Goolsby though. He injured his shoulder in the spring and may not be ready for the start of the season. If Goolsby can't go Notre Dame will have to start someone who has no career starts in his place. Mays was 3rd on the depth chart last season behind Carlos Pierre Antonie who has graduated and could start in his place. Mays has made some contributions on special teams and has improved greatly since he arrived at Notre Dame.

The star of the crew however is Courtney Watson. Watson was a Butkus finalist last year and is one of the leaders of the defense. Watson lead the team in tackles last season despite missing two games. He is a preseason All American and will be looked upon to be a leader on the field with the graduation of Shane Walton and Gerome Sapp, two of last year's leaders. Watson came back for a fifth year of eligibility and should go out with a bang. He is always around the ball and comes up with big plays when they are needed.

Derek Curry will be the third starter as he was last year. He was solid last year and should be solid again this season. He doesn't make many spectacular plays but he is a steady performer who can be counted on. Behind the starters a cast of solid players return. Brandon Hoyte was excellent last year and will back up Watson again this year. It will be very hard to keep him off the field. He is a monster out there and is also always around the ball. Hoyte will be a junior this year and will be looked to to make a big contribution to the team this year - something he is more than capable of handling.

Also returning will be the aforementioned Corey Mays and Jerome Collins. Collins has been said to have had a great spring and finally have things click. He is a senior who will play on the outside with the ability to play end if needed. He is very athletic so his improved play will be greatly welcomed by the defense. Mays may see more time than originally thought if Goolsby isn't ready to go.

Players Coming In - Dwight Stephenson, Joe Brockington, Nick Borsetti, Mitchell Thomas. Notre Dame signed four linebackers in this year class. The star of this group appears to be Mitchell Thomas who is one of the fastest linebackers the Irish have landed in a long time. Thomas has a relentless motor and is all over the field. He is very strong and could see the field as a freshman.

Thomas appears to be the most ready to see the field, but the other three linebackers in this class don't lack talent. Joe Brockington is another fast linebacker who's speed will be welcomed by the defense. Notre Dame as a team is becoming faster and faster and Brockington is an example of that. Nick Borsetti will be a middle linebacker for Notre Dame. Borsetti is a big guy who is avery strong and has a typical middle linebacker build. The last linebacker, Dwight Stephenson, might not stay at linebacker. Many believe that he will eventually move to defensive end. He, like Brockington and Thomas, has great speed and has some serious play making ability.

Analysis - If Mike Goolsby can play this season, Notre Dame will have an extremely strong linebacking core. Goolsby joined with Courtney Watson and Derek Curry give Notre Dame three very strong starters and a legitimate star in Watson. Behind them Notre Dame will also have some play makers behind them with players like Brandon Hoyte and an improving Jerome Collins. On top of that Notre Dame signed a terrific class of linebackers headlined by Mitchell Thomas.

Like the rest of the defense, the linebackers will need to play big this season. Notre Dame's offense is still a work in progress and while it will continue to improve in the fall, it will most likely not be ready to carry the team on its own. The linebackers will be very experienced this year and should be up the task. Courtney Watson should be an All American and could be in the line for post season accolades again this season.