Jaiden Ausberry Looks To Cement His Role In The Talented Notre Dame Linebacker Corps

Notre Dame boasts an extremely experienced and loaded linebacking unit heading into the 2025 season. They are one of the few position groups the Irish have this spring that return the bulk of their production from last season. Rising junior Jaiden Ausberry is a member of this deep and talented linebacker room, and he's currently battling for the starting position at Will linebacker, left vacated by Jack Kiser's departure to the NFL Draft. 

Last season, Ausberry played a total of 438 snaps and came in fifth on the team in tackles despite only starting two games last season against both service academies. He made a name for himself as one of their best open field tacklers. Now, Ausberry looks to use that experience to propel him forward into 2025 and is putting in the work this spring to be the best linebacker he can be. 

“Definitely my run defense," Ausberry said when asked about the improvements he made this spring. "Obviously, I was only 215 last year and I wasn't as big. I've now gotten up to 225. I'm at a solid weight now. So, I think that's going to help me a lot. I also need to be starting games faster. When I get in there, just being able to pick up fast, because obviously, I wasn't starting last year. So, this year I'm gonna try and go in there and just make plays fast.”

Clarity equals velocity, a phrase that head coach Marcus Freeman uses quite often when talking about the development of young players. This is something that Ausberry embodies, and has seen applied to his game specifically.

“The game's moving a lot slower," Ausberry explained. "I say my body is feeling a lot stronger and a lot bigger. I feel like I'm moving a lot faster, more fluid and I have no wasted movement. So I would definitely say my game has came a long way since last year.”

Ausberry is a part of a loaded linebacking corps that will be an integral part of this defense's success this upcoming season. Linebacker coach Max Bullough has a very diverse room in terms of skillset which allows them to matchup well with whatever team they play in the regular and postseason. 

“We all have different skill sets," Ausberry explained when asked about the room. "We could all do different things. We're really versatile. I think that adds to pretty much everything that goes onto the field. We can cover and run, field and run, play pass and do everything else. I honestly think we have one of the most versatile rooms in the country.”

This room also has tremendous amounts of depth, and the young players this spring have made a positive impression on Ausberry. 

“They've been doing a really good job," Ausberry stated. "Teddy Rezac, Bodie Kahoun, Madden Faraimo and even Preston Zinter have all been doing a good job. They know their playbook. They go out there and they make plays. They're just playing up to the standard.”

Notre Dame returns one of the deepest linebacking corps in the country in 2025. Last season showcased, athletically, they can compete and run with anyone in the country. Now, a year older and more experienced, this group looks to lead the defense to their next deep playoff run and potentially another run at the National Championship.