Notre Dame DL Rylie Mills Expecting a Dog Fight with BYU's Veteran OL
For tomorrow, the running back trio and 21 personnel. For Friday, I was going to cover getting young guys in on DL with such a veteran group and Washington's recruiting pitch
The strongside end position has been kind to Notre Dame throughout the years.
Khalid Kareem, Ade Ogundeji and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa propelled themselves into NFL careers with success at the position and Notre Dame junior Rylie Mills seems to be the next in line.
Mills had his coming out party last fall against Virginia as he registered two sacks and then the 6-foot-5, 292-pounder accomplished the same feat against North Carolina last month.
"It feels great to know the work I've put in - it's paying off," Mills said. "But for me, I feel like that's just the start. I feel like I have a lot of room to grow, so I'm just ready to keep going."
Sacks might have come few and far between to start the season, but the Irish defense has rebounded nicely as Notre Dame ranks No. 12 in the country at 3.25 sacks per game.
"Anytime somebody gets a sack, we're always like it's the most exciting thing in the world," stated Mills. "When (Jacob) Lacey gets his sack, if (Isaiah) Foskey gets a sack or the twins get a sack. Anytime we get the sack, we're all freaking out."
Mills has also embraced being a swing guy as he can play the 3-tech and 5-tech in Al Golden's defense.
It's something you saw from Kareem, Ogundeji and Tagovailoa-Amosa, which is another piece to Mills' game that bodes well for his future plans.
"At the start of the season, even I guess in the spring, that's one thing Coach (Al) Washington and Coach Golden preached to me to be as versatile as I can," explained Mills. "That's something I embrace. I want to be a football player and a defensive lineman across the board. That's something I try to pride myself on is I'll play whatever position you need me to."
The ability to play inside and outside, while being willing has impressed defensive line coach Al Washington as he's watched Mills grow into a better play over the last five weeks.
"Rylie has made improvements on the outside and the inside," Washington explained. "In particular, with his transition in his rush. He's become more comfortable in the scheme and that helps you play faster. I think he's really been focused on the team and how he can contribute, but open-minded to every week on what we feel like is the best thing and we see him fitting.
"He's embraced it and it's allowed him to contribute. It's good to see. He's experiencing some success. He's another one that's focused on what he needs to improve every day."
That said, if you gave the Lake Forest (Ill.) native a choice, Mills would take lining up inside over outside despite his success on the edge.
"Inside," stated Mills when asked where he preferred to play. "I like rushing the passer a bit more just because you're a little bit up closer with the guard and it's a little quicker. From a five tech too, it's a lot about just setting up and going right through the guy."
Outside of stats on paper, Mills also believes the Irish defensive line has started to find a groove and it comes at the right time as the meat of the Irish schedule is coming quickly.
"I think the biggest thing for us is just sticking with our technique," stated Mill.s "When we get out there, we've got to make sure we're pinning our ears back. As we've gotten more and more through the season, we've seen that from like multiple guys.
"It's a testament to the work we put in. That's a goal for all of us and we can get there. It's just going to be working at it every single day this season. Like Coach Freeman preaches, it's about preparation."
This Saturday, Notre Dame will travel to Las Vegas to play BYU and Mills knows it will be a physical game with the Cougars veteran offensive line.
"I came in early," Mill said. "I was 17 or 18 years old. You've got a guy who's a six-year who's like 24. This guy could be like my dad or something."
And despite the age gap, Mills is looking forward to mixing it up in the trenches this weekend.
"Coach Wash preaches that every play we have to be knocking them back," said Mills. "I love getting into physical games and it's just like a dog fight."
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