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NCAA Football: Florida State at Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) and safety Adon Shuler (8) rush a punt by Florida State Seminoles punter Alex Mastromanno (29) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Son of Notre Dame legend named breakout candidate for 2025

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 10:23 AM ET

Injuries to the Notre Dame defensive line showed up in the national championship. The Fighting Irish could have used defensive end Boubacar Traore and defensive tackle Rylie Mills to stop an elite Ohio State offense in January.

Mills and Howard Cross III are no longer with the program, and the Irish need players on the defensive line to step up for the upcoming season. In June, the Irish received bad news that defensive end Jordan Botelho will miss the beginning of the season due to a pectoral injury he suffered off campus.

Bryce Young named a “sleeper” for 2025

In an article by ESPN on what “sleeper” players could have breakout seasons in 2025, Mark Schlabach named defensive end Bryce Young as a pass rusher who could make an impact for the Irish like his father, Bryant Young, did from 1989-1993.

“With Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III leaving for the NFL, the Fighting Irish are looking for another player who can rush the quarterback,” Schlabach wrote. “The answer might be sophomore Bryce Young, who certainly looks the part at 6 feet, 7 inches and 273 pounds. Last season, he played in all 16 games and had 23 tackles with a team-high three blocked kicks.

“Young has the right potential too. His father, Bryant Young, was an All-American at Notre Dame and a Pro Football Hall of Famer after a standout career with the 49ers. His mother, Kristin, ran track and field for the Fighting Irish.”

Notre Dame needs someone to step up on the DL in 2025

NCAA Football: Orange Bowl Notre Dame at Penn State Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Young recorded 1.5 sacks in 2024, including one in the College Football Playoff first round against Indiana. He recorded four tackles in the Irish’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the CFP semifinal.

Per Ourlads, Young is listed as the No. 2 left defensive end behind junior DL Joshua Burnham, who finished 2024 with two sacks and 16 total tackles. Young vs. Burnham could be an intriguing battle to watch in training camp this summer.

NCAA Basketball: Southern Methodist at Notre Dame Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman and team are honored in the first half of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the SMU Mustangs at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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