Notre Dame Football: 5 freshmen who could become instant starters in 2018

Unlike Jarrett Patterson, Jack Lamb is an early enrollee, which gives him a major leg up in the race for one of those starting spots at linebacker. Also unlike Patterson, Lamb doesn’t play on the offensive line, so that doesn’t help Notre Dame in that regard.

Lamb does, however, play inside linebacker and he happens to be one of the best at that position in the entire country. In fact, he was ranked the No. 4 inside linebacker by 247Sports and the 99th-best overall recruit in the 2018 class.

Why was this? Because he’s aggressive, has the size to make opposing ball-carriers think twice about heading in his direction and has lateral quickness which is ideal for a linebacker.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound backer from California held about two dozen offers, but committed to Notre Dame on Dec. 20, signing that same day.

Lamb has a chance to become a day one starter as middle linebacker Myles Morgan is graduating, opening up a potential competition for that No. 1 job.