www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 2, 2021 17
work in the base defense. His instincts
and burst as a blitzer are helpful in sub
packages.
Through three games, 79 of Bauer's
93 snaps were in pass defense or as a
pass rusher. White, meanwhile, played
63 of his 125 snaps in run defense.
At rover, graduate student Isaiah Pryor
and junior Jack Kiser are co-starters on
the depth chart and in snap distribution.
(Kiser's 94 snaps are just 19 more than
Pryor). The duo combined for 23 tackles,
one tackle for loss and two passes broken
up in Notre Dame's first three games.
Unlike Bauer and White, Pryor's
and Kiser's play-type distribution is
largely the same. But each has different
strengths. Pryor's burst as a pass rusher
and ability to play in space stands out.
Kiser is one of Notre Dame's better
tacklers and active in run defense.
There's a place for all those skill sets.
Especially at a position that can't afford
wear-and-tear and workload-related
issues.
"What's the point of having really
good depth if you're only going to play
the same linebackers the whole game?"
White said. "The rotation and giving guys
breaks, having fresh legs and fresh minds
go into the game, that's an advantage.
"It's an advantage we're going to use
throughout the season."
It's an advantage that was created by
thoughtful preparation and individual
accountability before the need even
arose.
"The linebacker room, the culture of
it, there weren't any guys hiding in the
back," White said. "There wasn't any-
where to hide. Everyone acted like they
were going to play." ✦
Graduate student Drew White (No. 40) is
one of five players in Notre Dame's current
linebacker rotation.
PHOTO BY BOB MYERS
