DL Sean Sevillano Jr. Embracing Notre Dame's Community & Coaching Staff
There are big seasons and then there is Sean Sevillano Jr.
As a senior at Clearwater Academy International (Fla.), Sevillano tallied 101 tackles, 65 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.
How does an interior defensive lineman produce at a high level? Effort and taking instruction to heart.
“A lot of film study and work at practice,” Sevillano stated. “Obviously, Notre Dame was a great resource. Coach Wash (Al Washington) was great. Effort on the field. Chasing plays, all that. I think it all accumulated into what I was able to put out this fall.”
Not only did the 6-foot-1, 339-pounder maximize his resources, but he was hungry. Sevillano watched Isaiah Hastings sign with Alabama and finish as a Top 150 player in 2022. Not only did Sevillano want to earn a scholarship to college, but he also wants to play as long as possible.
“Realizing after coming out of that first year with no offers that this was a real possibility that I can really make an impact in the football world and my family to possibly create generational wealth,” Sevillano explained. “Realizing that, it really put a chip on my shoulder like, ‘Hey, I want to get these offers too now.’
“It really made me hungry and then ultimately using the resources I had, my d-line coach, my head coach at Clearwater Academy, and then once I started picking up these offers, I started really getting in touch with d-line coaches to really further my skills.”
It’s one thing to have conversations with coaches, yet it’s another to take that advice to heart and implement it into action. Sevillano did just that and quickly developed a close relationship with Washington.
Now, the x-factor here is Washington played interior defensive line in college, so his words more than hit home with the early enrollee.
“He sees me being a nose tackle,” Sevillano said. “Pretty low center of gravity, pretty heavy guy. Other than that he just sees me as someone he’d like to come in and contribute pretty early. That’s something I’m really looking to do. Come into spring ball and make a great impression and get my career started off pretty early.”
Sevillano putting his faith in a football coach isn’t something new. Following his freshman year, he moved from Canada to Florida to have a shot at going to a program like Notre Dame.
It also has led to having an immediate connection to Notre Dame defensive linemen Devan Houstan and Armel Mukam, who also hail from Canada.
Both Houston and Mukam underwent physical changes in their first year at Notre Dame and now it’s Sevillano’s turn as he’s embraced Loren Landow’s program.
The main goal in the present is to get his weight to 320.
“I’ve been working with him pretty closely to get my weight down and also get bigger,” stated Sevillano. “I really like his philosophy and how he structures his workouts. He’s a great coach and I’m excited for my future here with him.”
When it comes to the transition to Notre Dame, Sevillano is living his best life. He’s majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior, but he’s also embraced the small community.
“It’s been pretty awesome,” said Sevillano. “Notre Dame attracts a certain type of person. I’ve said that a few times at a few different places. It’s been great to connect with guys. They’re all a bunch of good dudes and going to the hockey and basketball games has been real fun and a big topic of conversation about Notre Dame is the community.
“I’ve gotten to experience that going to games and just socializing. It’s been good.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Cloud Jersey Raglan Long Sleeve Hoodie
