'22 CA LB Niuafe Tuihalamaka (Notre Dame Signee)

Dale · Aug 5, 2026

arrowryan said:
At the end of the day, we’re talking about the 4th/5th DE. I just don’t think you ask him back if you like what you’ve seen over the summer.

Same would be said for Burnham but you are shocked we didn’t retain him?

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

Make $100K being a back up with your boys one more time, and maybe even get another Pro day? Or sit in a cubicle sending emails?

I think it's really that.

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

Dale said:
Same would be said for Burnham but you are shocked we didn’t retain him?

Burnham's path to significant time at ND was more clear then. Keeley wasn't a thing and Dunham didn't have a monster spring.

DomeFieldAdvantage · Aug 5, 2026

NDPhilly said:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/niuafe-tuihalamaka-95b278283/

Looks like he was interning at McKinsey last year but was still looking for a full time role. Good for him, hope he's been staying in football shape.

Even if he hasn't been, its kind of like getting a guy back from injury. He'll take some time to get conditioned, but also its not like he needs reps to learn the system. He is a vet, so he should be able to slide right back in when he is up to speed.

arrowryan · Aug 5, 2026

Dale said:
Same would be said for Burnham but you are shocked we didn’t retain him?

I think Burnham is a better player than JT, so yes.

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

How does he launch into a classroom with like 1 week's notice?

arrowryan · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
How does he launch into a classroom with like 1 week's notice?

He’s not coming back to play school

pumpdog20 · Aug 5, 2026

I'm guessing this is more of a leadership play.
As to the coaches potentially not liking what they saw in the summer and needed to bring in JT... I guess my counter is how do coaches evaluate misses in the summer? Guys were missing weight lifting sessions or something?

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

arrowryan said:
He’s not coming back to play school

I know things have loosened but this is still ND. He has to be in a real program even if he doesn’t plan to finish.

Also, by all accounts, this is a great kid. Could have transferred at anytime and was always looked over for PT. Never flinched and va Georgia he was our best DL.

I welcome his attitude and play with open arms. You never know who’s going to get hurt.

domer13 · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
How does he launch into a classroom with like 1 week's notice?

Classes don't begin until Aug 25.

BigErnMcCracken · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
I know things have loosened but this is still ND. He has to be in a real program even if he doesn’t plan to finish.

Also, by all accounts, this is a great kid. Could have transferred at anytime and was always looked over for PT. Never flinched and va Georgia he was our best DL.

I welcome his attitude and play with open arms. You never know who’s going to get hurt.

Exactly. The overthinking in this thread is amusing. You can never have enough experienced, good players on your team, especially on the lines.

NDPhilly · Aug 5, 2026

He was the most impactful defensive player in a CFP game against Georgia. How many players can say that? Josh Burnham can't. Junior fits the IU / Cig model of a high effort guy with experience over potential better actually.

greyhammer90 · Aug 5, 2026

If he's healthy, he's going to be one hell of a DE4.

Dale · Aug 5, 2026

NDPhilly said:
He was the most impactful defensive player in a CFP game against Georgia. How many players can say that? Josh Burnham can't. Junior fits the IU / Cig model of a high effort guy with experience over potential better actually.

Recency bias (50% career sacks L4 games) + Burnham looks the part more than JR. Both have had near identical careers as occasional impact starters, reliable backups.

stlnd01 · Aug 5, 2026

Dale said:
Recency bias (50% career sacks L4 games) + Burnham looks the part more than JR. Both have had near identical careers as occasional impact starters, reliable backups.

Yep. Burnham and Jr. are pretty similar players, really. Main difference is that Burnham had eligibility remaining and a deep-pocketed B1G team willing to pay him more (and perhaps offer him more PT) than we were, while Jr. was out of eligibility until he wasn't. That's all.

And of course you take Jr. back if he wants to. What on earth would be the downside of having a proven veteran backup DE on your depth chart?

allenm5333 · Aug 5, 2026

Dale said:
Recency bias (50% career sacks L4 games) + Burnham looks the part more than JR. Both have had near identical careers as occasional impact starters, reliable backups.

Is anyone arguing that they would rather have Burnham? He is gone so we should welcome Jr if it works out

irishfan · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
How does he launch into a classroom with like 1 week's notice?

Some Irish Bloke · Aug 5, 2026

DomeFieldAdvantage said:
I don't know, but I couldn't find anything on him signing with a team.

The only other player that is eligible is Raridon, but I can't see him coming back after getting drafted in the 3rd round

Plus, glowing reports early on in Pats training camp.

GoldenToTheGrave · Aug 5, 2026

Junior makes this team better so this is postive news.

dublinirish · Aug 5, 2026

was MF asked about him in his presser?

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

dublinirish said:
was MF asked about him in his presser?

No. There was an opportunity to ask this in a professional way as to not put MF on the spot: “With the new ruling, is there a way this can impact ND in 2026”? He can the. Divulge or dodge as much as he wanted.

dublinirish · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
No. There was an opportunity to ask this in a professional way as to not put MF on the spot: “With the new ruling, is there a way this can impact ND in 2026”? He can the. Divulge or dodge as much as he wanted.

gotcha and theres no evidence he will rejoin the team thus far?

Irishcop · Aug 5, 2026

Didn't Tuihalamaka beat Monroe Freeling like a drum for most of the Sugar Bowl? My two very good friends who are Dawgs fans kept saying " the Notre Dame defensive end who's name we can't pronounce is killing us".

allenm5333 · Aug 5, 2026

He could also play 85% of the snaps against Navy...a week before Miami

dublinirish · Aug 5, 2026

Daley showed up at Indiana's first practice this morning without any prior annoucement so perhaps we see Junior at ND tomorrow

RudyVerse · Aug 5, 2026

Matt Freeman confirmed it was a torn pec he suffered at pro day.

Me2SouthBend · Aug 5, 2026

dublinirish said:
gotcha and theres no evidence he will rejoin the team thus far?

Plenty of evidence. Post 340 in this thread. Source is IE.

Henges24 · Aug 5, 2026

I remember watching JT last year and thinking “holy shit, how is this guy a senior already?!”

Good for him to come back for one last ride, if it for sure happens.

tirishman505 · Aug 5, 2026

Irishcop said:
Didn't Tuihalamaka beat Monroe Freeling like a drum for most of the Sugar Bowl? My two very good friends who are Dawgs fans kept saying " the Notre Dame defensive end who's name we can't pronounce is killing us".

Yes he did. He was a man possessed that game. Awesome to see.

zelezo vlk · Aug 5, 2026

RudyVerse said:
Matt Freeman confirmed it was a torn pec he suffered at pro day.

So he really might not even be healthy right now. 6 months out from the Pro Day is September 24, which would be just in time for the vaunted Boilermakers offense

'22 CA LB Niuafe Tuihalamaka (Notre Dame Signee)

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