Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early projected 2-deep 2019 depth chart

Linebackers

Starting linebackers: Jonathan Jones, Asmar Bilal, Shayne Simon
Backups: Bo Bauer, Jordan Genmark Heath, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Replacing the core of your defense is never easy, especially when half of that core can be found at the same position. As for defensive coordinator Clark Lea and the Irish, that’s exactly what they’ll be faced with as they attempt to replace standout linebackers Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill heading into the 2019 season.

Before going into the specifics, it’s important to note that the entire makeup of this linebacker unit will be dictated by senior Asmar Bilal’s assignment in 2019. Should the Irish adhere to the general consensus and move Bilal from rover to weakside linebacker, sophomore Shayne Simon and junior Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would be the top candidates to battle it out for the starting rover job,

Regardless of where Bilal plays, the Irish will need to find a replacement for Coney at inside linebacker. Senior Jonathan Jones has the edge over both Bo Bauer and Jack Lamb in terms of seniority, but we’ll have a better picture of where they all stand once spring practices roll around.

Jordan Genmark Heath, Bilal’s primary backup should he make the switch, would likely start at BUCK linebacker if the latter stayed home at rover. That would keep Simon on the bench without affecting Jones, Bauer, or Lamb inside. Nevertheless, all of this remains hypothetical until we get more clarification in the coming weeks.