Rylie Mills Earns Second Team All-America Honors From Sporting News

Notre Dame veteran defensive tackle Rylie Mills earned second team All-America honors from Sporting News following his outstanding 2024 campaign. Mills and safety Xavier Watts both earned All-America honors from Sporting News, with Watts earning first team honors.

Mills got off to a slow start this season, failing to register a single tackle for loss through the first four games of the season. He started to show out in the 31-24 win over Louisville, but Mills was on fire coming out of Notre Dame's first bye week in early October. In the final seven games, Mills racked up seven tackles for loss and six sacks.

Mills and Howard Cross III both breaking out around the same time helped the defense take a big jump during the second half of the season. When Cross went down with an injury against Florida State it was Mills that put the defense on his shoulders. After the injury to his defensive tackle partner, Mills racked up three sacks and helped bury the Seminole offense.

The Illinois native and team captain finished the regular season with 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His tackle for loss and sack numbers led the Irish defense and also were career highs for Mills. 

Mills was a disruptive pass rusher for Notre Dame this season beyond just sacks. He finished fourth in college football among defensive tackles in total pressures on the quarterback. Pro Football Focus credited Mills with 33 total pressures, which tied for fourth in all of CFB in pressures. His 12 hits + sacks on the quarterback also tied for fourth in college football among defensive tackles. 

Cross earned second-team All-America honors from The Football Writers Association of America. Having Mills and Cross together in the playoff is expected to give the Irish defense a boost after Cross missed the final three games of the regular season.