Al Washington Shares Recruiting Pillars, Excited for Notre Dame DL Room in 2025
Recruiting isn’t an exact science and defensive line evaluations at any level might be one of the most challenging jobs in football.
For college coaches, it’s about projecting talent and growth at least three years down the road and often even more for developmental programs.
Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington has a specific formula for edge rushers. Several boxes need to be checked, but it starts with being able to apply pressure on the quarterback.
”Outside of the physical dimensions of length, you want athleticism and explosiveness,” stated Washington. “You have to be able to bend. You have to bend without losing speed and power. That’s the key. That’s flexibility. Those are the things you really look for.”
Length is essential for any program, but it’s extremely important for Notre Dame given the variety of offenses and competition the Irish can see in any given year.
“It speaks to who we play,” said Washington. “You have to have length to separate and create separation on the edge. You play against bigger tackles; it can be a challenge.”
When Washington starts evaluating interior defensive linemen, it begins with some of the same traits as edge rushers, but another challenge exists. Coaches must project who can add good weight while keeping their athleticism and explosion.
That’s challenging for seniors in high school, but even more so if it’s a sophomore or junior as you’re projecting their body development 3-4 years down the road at a minimum.
”You want length, but you must be able to anchor,” Washington stated. “You’re looking for the same things, but a little more power and growth potential. If you see a young man in the 270 range, you want to project him to get to the 310 range with our nutrition and performance staff.
“It’s not an exact science. It’s something you try to identify the best you can by looking at their shoulders and hips.”
Notre Dame sophomore defensive tackle Armel Mukam arrived in South Bend around 250 and played on the edge in high school. Fast forward two years and Mukam is over 300 pounds.
“Armel is a great example,” stated Washington. “He came in at 250. He’s benefited from our development plan and now you can see where he’s at. You project forward. He was an end in high school and now he’s a tackle/nose for us. We feel confident in him.”
Mukam has gained the weight needed to play at Notre Dame, and this spring, he’ll need to take a step forward. Freshman Sean Sevillano Jr. is another name the Irish need to progress as Washington looks to create depth following the losses of Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills.
“They’re close,” Washington stated. “They’re at the doorstep. We have confidence in them. Confidence comes from preparation and preparation comes from being deliberate in what you do. Those two have done a great job.”
Both players had their development expedited in 2024 due to injuries. Neither cracked the rotation, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t progress.
What’s the key to expediting the development of a younger player? It starts with keeping them in the moment.
“You just have to remind them they are here for a reason,” said Washington. “It’s football. I think you have to do your best as a coach to remind them that these moments are no different than the moments they’ve had. The field is still the field. The objectives are still the objectives. The objective is to play with leverage, technique, play hard as hell and enjoy it.
“From a schematic standpoint, those guys have accepted the challenge of learning and understanding what we want to do as a defense.”
The live evaluation is the other puzzle piece regarding development, projecting, and recruiting. Washington might have had more commits attend camp than any other coach on the staff over the last three years, and that time with each player is priceless in many ways.
“Live evaluations are really important to just get to work with them, see how they work and learn,” explained Washington. “What’s their reaction when they’re challenged? It might not be the best version of them, but nothing is 100 percent. If you get that chance, you have to rely on that.”
When thinking back to camps, it’s hard not to remember freshman defensive end Bryce Young. He arrived on campus having not played defensive end, but Washington saw something.
2.5 years later, Young signed with Notre Dame as a 247 five-star prospect and an All-American.
“He had the right qualities, the length and at that time, he was like 215,” Washington recalled. “I’ll never forget the first time he went through a drill and he stumbled over the bag and fell. I told him to get back up and it was better with the second rep. I saw right there he has the ability to grow and evolve.
“He’s a great example of that work ethic and play. He’s grown tremendously this year.”
And speaking of growth, Notre Dame’s defensive end position will have the opportunity to grow in depth in 2025. Junior Tuihalamaka, Joshua Burnham, Young and even freshman Loghan Thomas got valuable reps this fall due to injuries to Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore.
Botelho and Traore are both expected to be back and contributors by the fall, which gives Washington a talented and experienced room.
“Junior and Josh have done an unbelievable job this year,” said Washington. “Losing those two guys is tough and I’m excited about those guys coming back and being one year wiser. Physically, they have a chance to come back better. Sometimes, these injuries put people back in a better situation from the standpoint of building up everything around them. I’m excited.”
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