Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame's Youth Making Noise on the Defensive Line

By Matt Freeman

August 8, 2024

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It’s not a secret Notre Dame will have one of the most experienced defensive lines in the country this season.

In fact, Notre Dame’s projected starting front of Jordan Botelho, Rylie Mills, Howard Cross III and RJ Oben have combined to play in 196 career games. Behind the starters, Junior Tuihalamaka, Donovan Hinish, Jason Onye and Joshua Burnham have played in 64 games, which just shows the depth of Al Washington’s room.

Yet, the competition on the Irish front is as heated as ever as Notre Dame’s youth seem far from content despite the two-deep being almost set on paper.

Boubacar Traore flashed in a big way against USC as he recorded a strip sack on Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Classmate Armel Mukam didn’t get to play last year as he was working through labrum surgery, but both have had big offseasons and seem to be trending in the right way.

“Boubacar has picked up right where he left off,” Washington said. “He had a great spring and is having an even better summer. Armel Mukam is really getting his first opportunity to get out here and he’s doing a phenomenal job. I can’t tell you how good of a job he’s doing. The best thing about Armel is he’s incredibly bright and just a tough kid. Those factors usually help.”

Mukam physical trajectory is one that’s similar to former Notre Dame captain Kapron Lewis-Moore. The former three-star prospect arrived at Notre Dame at 250 pounds and has worked his way to over 300 in just a year.

”Development,” Washington said. “He was a hockey player. He had like two years of football. Gets hurt (shoulder). Man, he changed his body and really embraced the teaching process of learning. He still has a ways to go, but man, he’s done an unbelievable job.”

It’s one thing if Washington is impressed, but it’s equally telling when Mukam has his peers talking about his growth.

"His mentality coming off the ball and learning how to play low,” stated Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills. “He's a bigger guy coming in, so he just had to unlock that. The biggest change I've seen is that he's coming off with low pads. He wants a dominant demeanor. He'll go out there, he wants to make a play. He's running after the ball.

“I tell all the young guys, you look at Armel; if you want to be in a position where you want to play and get on the field, it starts with good technique and out-efforting the guys around you."

Junior Joshua Burnham isn’t considered a young guy, as the Michigan native has played in 14 games, but he’s been learning the defensive end position over the last two seasons after playing linebacker in high school.

Burnham flashed at times in 2023 and it appears he has an extreme amount of confidence heading into year three.

”He is having a hell of a camp and off-season,” explained Washington. “His body is transformed. He’s closer to 260. He’s special.”

As for the vyper position, Traore and Junior Tuihalamaka will fight for reps behind Botelho. Tuihalamak provides a stable force and can hold up against the run, while Traore has an elite pass rush set that Washington is fine tuning.

”He’s ready to roll,” Washington said of Traore. “Rip that band-off cause he can go. He’s special. He’s a really good player. I’d say the same thing about Junior.

“Last year I think it was part physical. Now he’s filled out. His body looks different. Year two, you’re more aware and playing faster as a result of it. He’s still working. He’s still not where he needs to be in the end, but we’ll continue to invest in him.”

Notre Dame’s freshmen class is also making some noise and it starts with defensive end Bryce Young. The 6-foot-7, 258-pounder stands out for all the right reasons and he’s had the right attitude since arriving on campus in January.

“He’s physically gifted, he’s intelligent, it means something to him,” stated Washington. “He’s just a guy that has to continue to get out there and continue to learn the game. He’s done a phenomenal job and his ceiling is as high as it is.”

All-American Howard Cross III has seen Young for the last seven months and is intrigued to see what he can do this fall.

“Jealous,” stated Cross. “I wish I was 6-foot-5 and can run like 30mph with two feet. Bryce, for example, reminds me a lot of (Isaiah) Foskey. I’m really excited for them. I’m excited to see what happens.”

Vyper Loghan Thomas missed the spring with a shoulder injury, which put him behind on the practice field, but also the weight room. The Texas native is full-go for fall camp and has put on good weight since being cleared for activities.

”He’s a young buck, but man, he’s special,” Washington stated. “He had a helluva day today. One of the things we look at, when a tough time comes—like a tough moment in a game or in a series—who makes the next play? He did that today. He’s put on about 30 pounds and he’s fast-fast. Really excited bout where he’s going.”

The last time freshman Cole Mullins played in a football game he was considered a linebacker. A foot injury kept him out for his senior year and Notre Dame quickly moved him to the three-tech spot.

Mullins has embraced the move as he’s put on weight the right way and has attacked his new position.

“Cole’s learning a lot of stuff,” said Cross. “We’re asking him to do a lot. He’s learning three positions and, I guess, four at this point. He’s a freshman, but he’s really taking it on the chin. He’s getting with guys to figure out what’s going on. He’s getting better every day. We see that and we’re all proud of him.”