Marcus Freeman High On Notre Dame Defensive Line Talent and Depth

One of the biggest questions for Notre Dame's defense heading into the offseason, outside of replacing Al Golden, was the expectations and potential surrounding the defensive line. In 2024, this unit was decimated by injuries losing several interior and edge rushing players over the course of the season. Replacing All-Americans Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III wouldn't be an easy task, but over the course of the offseason, the performance and development of the defensive line put head coach Marcus Freeman's mind at ease.

"The defensive tackle position was probably the biggest question mark I had coming into training camp and has probably given me the most conviction of a position group as any on our team," Freeman explained. "Credit to Coach (Al) Washington first for keeping that group together and driven. All you hear about is Rylie Mills and Howard Cross. There's multiple guys in that room that are going to play and have played and practiced as well as any position group in fall camp."

There are several players along the interior of the defensive line that stuck out to Freeman throughout the spring and fall training camps.

"A guy like Jason Onye is a great reminder of development," stated Freeman. "He's playing as well at that position as anybody I've seen since I've been here. That's a high compliment for him, but that's a credit to the work he's put in. I told Donovan Hinish, him wearing number 41, has big shoes to fill because of his older brother. I came in when his brother was here; I had one year with Kurt.

"Don’t tell Kurt I said this, but Donnie is making me forget about the older 41, which is what Kurt would want," continued Freeman. "Donnie's practicing as well as anybody. Jared Dawson is a transfer coming into a new place, is learning a new scheme and has new expectations. His evolution from his first practice to where he's at now has been tremendous. It's been tremendous in terms of being able to handle the way we practice, the expectations and what we want out of him."

The interior isn't the only facet of the defensive line that stuck out to Freeman. The defensive end rotation has been a question mark throughout most of the offseason. Things started to sort themselves out in fall camp, and now, heading into their first game of the season, the depth and talent is clear as day.

"We’re going to need them all," Freeman said of his defensive end room. "We are deep at the end position. We’re probably five to six guys deep. Getting Botelho back is going to help us. Loghan Thomas, Joshua Burnham, Junior Tuihalamaka, Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young are all guys you're going to see."

Young, the 6-7, 271-pound sophomore edge rusher, has had a strong offseason of development. He is poised to make a strong jump from his freshman to sophomore season.

"Physically he’s gotten bigger; he’s a big man," Freeman said about the North Carolina native. "He has good genetics, but he’s a big man. What you’ve seen from him over training camp is his ability to handle his weight and use it the right way as a powerful football player. He’s not just an edge rusher and he’s really enhanced his game to be a complete defensive end in the run and the pass game. He’s a guy that came in as a freshman and was really good, and he’s getting better."

The defensive line will be lining up across from, what we believe to be, a top ten offensive line unit in the country on Sunday night. Upfront, Miami has size, power and athleticism. We won't have to wait much longer to see the progress and potential of this Notre Dame defensive line. Their first two games will put their development and talent to the test.

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