Notre Dame DE Jordan Botelho Focused on Rehab, Excited for 2025
Jordan Botelho was a man on a mission to start the 2024 campaign. The fifth-year senior had tallied 12 tackles and a sack while causing pure havoc in backfields of the opposition.
Then the Purdue game happened.
Botelho was carted off the field with a right patella tendon rupture, which ended his season. The last three months have been about taking the rehab process slow to make sure he’s ready to go in 2025.
“I’m about 15 weeks out and it’s going really well,” Botelho told ISD. “I’m going to start running and squatting soon. It’s been a good process so far.”
When the injury happened, the Hawaii native knew it was a severe injury immediately, but he also hoped there could be a quick fix.
“I had a feeling it was bad,” Botelho said. “I was hoping they could just pop it back in and I’d be out for a couple weeks. It ended up being pretty bad. It’s God’s plan.”
Notre Dame doesn’t often put target dates for long-term injuries, but Botelho does have an open timeframe on when he expects to be back in team workouts.
“I think by summer conditioning, I’ll be full-go,” stated Botelho. “I’ll be able to do fall camp. I’ll take it slow and make sure my leg is healed over the spring.”
As with any competitor, Botelho has found it tough to watch from the sidelines, especially as Notre Dame has gone on the deepest postseason run in recent history.
Yet, Botelho is also proud of his teammates who have stepped up as he takes pride in helping them play to their full potential.
“Just not being able to play,” Botelho stated when asked about the toughest part of the last three months. “My brothers, who are playing my position, have made me proud.
I’m thankful I have the opportunity to watch them. It means a lot. It shows the hard work we’ve put in together. It’s the next man up and I’m proud of all the boys who have stepped up.”
Defensive line coach Al Washington echoed the same sentiment as he’s very pleased with the development of Joshua Burnham and Junior Tuihalamaka, but he’ll also be glad to get Botelho and Boubacar Traore back in the mix.
“I think Junior and Josh have done an unbelievable job this year,” explained Washington. “Losing those two guys was tough, but I’m excited about those guys coming back and being one year wiser. In a lot of ways, physicality, they have a chance to come back better. I’m excited.”
And as far as returning to Notre Dame, it was never a question for Botelho.
“I love football,” said Botelho. “I’m going to keep playing until I can’t.”
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