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Verbally committed to Nebraska in mid-June of 2020, three-star linebacker/edge defender Will Schweitzer didn’t remain a Cornhusker for long.
In fact, it was a little more than two months before Notre Dame swayed the consensus No. 586 player in the Class of 2021 to reverse his decision and choose the Irish, which he did on August 16 of 2020.
The 21st -ranked player in Notre Dame’s 27-man Class of 2021 – listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds coming out of Los Gatos, Calif. – Schweitzer projected as a Vyper end off the edge but also a linebacker option with his length and range.
Schweitzer was one of 14 Irish freshmen to enroll for the spring semester of 2021. Late in the spring, he suffered a kneecap injury that put him on the shelf during the summer. He worked his way back into playing shape and saw action in three games against Navy, Georgia Tech and Stanford. He made his lone tackle of the season – an assisted stop – against the Yellow Jackets.
This past spring, Schweitzer reportedly worked at Vyper end but also saw time at Rover with Jack Kiser, Jordan Botelho and Jaylen Sneed. Schweitzer had a strong second half in the April 23 Blue-Gold Game when he recorded four tackles for the Blue defense.
• O’Malley Ranking: 55
O’Malley Says: “When I say ‘strongside linebacker,’ it sounds like a better fit than ‘Rover,’ but they’re often one in the same. Schweitzer has competition in terms of a pass-rushing presence in Jordan Botelho and a speed player in Jaylen Sneed. But the red-shirt freshman’s overall game might allow him to win a backup role in August.”
It’s a bit uncertain as to where Schweitzer will line up this fall. He’s probably at his best off the edge but remains a bit light at 225 pounds. With Osita Ekwonu and Josh Burnham moving to Vyper, it’s a crowded house with Isaiah Foskey, Justin Ademilola and Aiden Gobaira also there. If Schweitzer settles at Rover, he would have Jack Kiser, Jordan Botelho and Jaylen Sneed with which to deal. Will linebacker is manned by starter Marist Liufau, Prince Kollie and freshman Nolan Ziegler, whom the Irish like.
The Vyper position opens up with the departure of Foskey and Justin Ademilola after the 2022 season. Ekwonu, Gobaira and Burnham clearly are not established. It’s difficult to see Schweitzer making much headway at Rover with Kiser a possibility to return in 2023 and the athletic backup duo of Botelho and Sneed. Will linebacker is crowded at the top with Liufau/Kollie the clear one-two punch and Ziegler trending up. Long-term, Schweitzer’s greatest opportunity might be at Vyper, but he’ll need to slap on some bulk and strength. It’s difficult to say until August transpires.
Stat(s) Of The Day
Schweitzer recorded 88 tackles, four sacks and 15 QB pressures as a sophomore at Los Gatos High School. As a junior, he had 130 stops, including nine for loss (two sacks). He also had 21 QB hurries and an interception. His senior season was wiped out due to the pandemic.
Schweitzer was one of five true freshmen to make a tackle for the Irish in 2021 and one of eight freshman defensive players to participate in a game. LB-Prince Kollie led all freshmen with 14 tackles (10 games), followed by LB-Kahanu Kia (7 tackles, 8 games) and S-Justin Walters (3 tackles, 4 games). DT-Gabe Rubio (1 tackle, 1 game) and Schweitzer (1 tackles, 3 games) were next. CB-Riley Barnes and CB-Philip Riley each played in four games but did not record a tackle.
“He’s going to be a Vyper. We’re excited for him. He’s long, he’s tall, he’s an incredible worker. He’s played linebacker, so he’s got coverage ability. We’re excited about him at that Vyper position.”
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