Our review of the 2025 Notre Dame football roster will now address the defense. Today’s segment focuses on the ends and tackles that comprise the Irish front four. Incoming Coordinator Chris Ash will have a wealth of talented players at his disposal. Many remain unproven at the college level, however, despite strong potential. It will be up to Ash and Line Coach Al Washington to build a deep, productive rotation out of this group.

DEFENSIVE END

Significant knee injuries to Botelho and Traore put a damper on the 2024 season. Their recovery is progressing satisfactorily but it is unlikely either will start in the 2025 opener. We witnessed Mitchell Evans take additional time to heal both physically and mentally after being cleared to play. By the time the playoffs ended, Evans reached about 85-90 percent of his pre-injury form. Pass rush movements are arguably more stressful on the knee than at tight end. Irish fans should therefore not hold unrealistic expectations for this duo.

Ash still has a few resources to manufacture effective quarterback pressure against most teams. He will study the efforts of departed Coordinator Al Golden and bring his own ideas to the table. Unfortunately, the Irish pass rush was largely ineffective against playoff caliber competition. Without Botelho and Traore at full speed, other players will have to elevate their performance in 2025.

Portal Losses: Aidan Gobaira

Other Losses: RJ Oben (expired eligibility)

Portal Additions: None

Retained Players: Jordan Botelho, Boubacar Traore, Josh Burnham, Junior Tuihalamaka, Bryce Young, Loghan Thomas

Incoming Freshmen: Chris Burgess, Dom Hulak, Joseph Reiff

Tuihalamaka, Burnham and Young will be the core of the 2025 rotation until Botelho and Traore come up to speed. Thomas showed promise in limited duty last fall. Young has the highest ceiling and will eventually become a monster as he develops. Will his breakout season occur in 2025 or 2026? In the near term, Young must improve in terms of his ability to hold the edge against the run. He needs to build strength to pair with elite quickness while rushing the passer.

Burnham and Tuihalamaka are capable players but are physically a level below elite status. Thomas can be another solid contributor as his body matures. Burgess is the next potential elite performer, although a 2025 breakout may be too optimistic. Hulak and Reiff are highly regarded by the staff and project as quality rotation pieces. Reiff’s ultimate position may be inside at tackle depending on his growth and development.

This group is good enough to do a solid job against most teams. The best-case scenario is the Irish reach the playoffs while Botelho and Traore complete a full recovery. If that happens, Notre Dame may have enough to make another run at a title.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

It will be odd to enter a new season without Howard Cross and Riley Mills anchoring the defensive front. Notre Dame learned the value and necessity of depth last year and has taken steps to solve the problem. The development of high school recruits on the roster is still the priority, though. If the Irish are to compete at an elite level this year, young players must emerge from the shadows.

Portal Losses: Tyson Ford

Other Losses: Howard Cross (expired eligibility), Riley Mills (expired eligibility)

Portal Additions: Jared Dawson, Elijah Hughes

Retained Players: Donovan Hinish, Gabriel Rubio, Jason Onye, Devan Houstan, Armel Mukam, Brenan Vernon, Cole Mullins, Sean Sevillano

Incoming Freshmen: Davion Dixon, Gordy Sulfsted

Dawson is a prototypical run stuffer who can also generate an inside pass rush. At 6’2” 305, he will attract double teams that create opportunities for his teammates. Hughes is the only undergraduate of the eight transfers to join the Irish this cycle. He possesses a valuable combination of strength and quickness, although his raw talents need refinement.

Familiar faces include veterans Rubio and Hinish. Both will be key rotation pieces again this season. Rubio, another 300-pounder, is particularly strong against the run. Hinish remains undersized but brings playmaking ability and maximum effort for ~20 snaps per game.

Questions surround the remainder of the group. Coach Washington’s challenge is to find a few more solid contributors this spring. Onye started well in 2024 but left the team due to a personal issue. He remains listed on the roster although his status is unknown at this time. He would add a huge boost to the lineup if he can find his way back.

Rising juniors Houstan, Mukam, and Vernon each have three years of eligibility remaining. This is the offseason for them to make a leap forward into the rotation. Mukam was leading this pack late in 2024 and may be the first to emerge. Houstan has not broken through as yet while Vernon is adjusting to his move inside from end.

Mullins and Sevillano are a year behind. Both retained their redshirt status last year as freshmen. Sevillano impressed during his brief appearances last fall as he continues to reshape his 320-pound body. Mullins is probably another year away as he missed his senior year of high school due to injury. He is a talented, hard-working athlete and the coaches are excited about his future.

Incoming freshmen Sulfsted and Dixon mirror Mullins and Sevillano in terms of body type. Dixon is a natural nose tackle like Sevillano. Sulfsted projects at the three-technique position but could ultimately move outside. He also missed his senior season with a knee injury after playing linebacker as a junior.

Open competition for playing time among these candidates is the best path toward improving the rotation. Dawson and Rubio are the only sure things based on a long history of consistent performance. Hinish will continue to thrive in his backup role. Hughes has a high ceiling and will receive plenty of attention from the staff. He must become a solid contributor at minimum for Notre Dame to be successful in 2025. Beyond that, Washington needs to produce another pair of reliable players from the remaining candidates. Injuries will occur and the Irish cannot afford a steep dropoff in performance at the next level.