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Notre Dame Impact Players For 2025: No. 27 Defensive End Junior Tuihalamaka

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Trowbridge | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 9:28 AM ET

Notre Dame is now 27 days away from kicking off the 2025 season against the Miami Hurricanes down in Hard Rock Stadium. The Irish will be relying on some impact players to get them through the home opener as well as getting them back to another run at the National Championship. I broke down who I believe will be the top 50 impactful players for Notre Dame this season. Let’s continue this countdown to kickoff with my No. 27 most impactful player, senior defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka.

The California native is heading into his final season of eligibility in South Bend and is looking to leave a lasting impression on the defense. Up until the third game of the regular season in 2024, Tuihalamaka was mainly a special teams weapon throughout his career, but due to injuries, he was thrust into a bigger role on defense and made the most of his opportunity.

What He Brings To The Table

Last season, Tuihalamaka didn't play a single snap on defense the first two regular season games, but that didn't stop him from finishing the year No. 2 on the defense in total pressures. The 6-2 255 pound edge rusher showed up in the biggest moments last season and totaled four pressures against Louisville, Navy, USC and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Due to the amount of injuries Al Washington's group sustained last season, Tuihalamaka ended up playing 432 snaps on defense last year and only started two games. This season, he returns to the defensive end rotation and wouldn't surprise many people if he ended up starting to begin the year. There's a diversity of talent in Washington's room, and Tuihalamaka brings a different element to the table.

He was brought to South Bend initially as a middle linebacker, but was moved to the defensive end rotation early in his career. He doesn't have the size or length of a Bryce Young or Boubacar Traore, but he is still an athletic and strong rusher off the edge. Tuihalamaka recovered the fumble in the Sugar Bowl that set up their only offensive touchdown of the night and also recorded a sack of his own.

What Is His Impact?

Tuihalamaka sets the foundation for the defensive end rotation. Young is working his way through his true sophomore season and making necessary strides in fall camp. Traore is working his way back from a knee injury suffered in game five of last season. Sophomore Loghan Thomas is also working on fine tuning his edge rushing capabilities. Tuihalamaka is one of the lone veterans in the edge rushing group. He, along with redshirt junior Josh Burnham, have the opportunity to be the bedrock for this unit.

Last season, Tuihalamaka was arguably their most underrated player on defense. After losing Jordan Botelho and Traore to season ending injuries, Burnham missing time, Thomas and Young working through their true freshman season and a transfer portal player not panning out, Tuihalamaka answered the bell every single week and ended up finishing second on the team in total pressures. This year, he's the veteran in the room, can help bring the younger players along with him and be the 'old reliable' factor in the room. That's why Tuihalamaka is my No. 27 most impactful player for Notre Dame's 2025 season.