Notre Dame DE Jordan Botelho Eyes Strong Comeback, Gearing Up for 2025 Season
Notre Dame defensive end Jordan Botelho was playing his way to the NFL at the beginning of 2024. The 6-foot-3, 261-pounder had recorded 12 tackles and a sack in 2.5 games, but his presence was starting to be felt by offenses off the edge.
Botelho then went down with a patella tendon injury and his plans quickly changed. A few days later, the Hawaii native got a pick-me-up from head coach Marcus Freeman as it was made clear Botelho was welcome back for another year.
”When it happened, I was sad, but at the same time, I’m very fortunate and blessed to have another year,” Botelho stated. “Thankfully, Coach Freeman allowed me to come back and him telling me that gave me something to work toward. I’m just happy the recovery is going very well.”
Botelho has progressed well since September and is starting to do various conditioning work during practice in addition to his rehab.
In fact, Botelho is on track to have a full summer with no restrictions barring a set back.
“I’m feeling great,” said Botelho. “Every day we’re doing more and more. I feel like it’s coming along really well. I’m attacking every day in treatment and working out.
”Rob (Hunt) was saying by summer, I should be unrestricted. I’m looking forward to that for sure.”
Perhaps a blessing in disguise is the injury to Botelho and others has allowed them to grow closer to each other. Kahanu Kia, Chance Tucker and Boubacar Traore all suffered knee injuries last year and have been going through the ups and downs of rehab together.
”We have a good group,” Botelho said. “I feel like we’ve bonded closer and it’s a great group. We’re always pushing each other, getting rehab, and even when we’re in The Pit. I look forward to working out with them every day.”
In the present, Botelho is focused on mastering Chris Ash’s defense and helping his position group do the same.
It’s a challenge to learn a defense without actually playing in it, but Botelho has already noticed some interesting developments at his position when it comes to freedom.
“I feel like Coach Ash has been a great leader,” Botelho explained. “For our position, we’re getting a bit more freedom. When the tight end aligns against us, instead of being in the 6i, we take on the puller. We can kind of play with him instead of always hitting him. He coached Maxx Crosby and watching his film, the freedom he has to make plays, it’s exciting to watch.”
Botelho also has his eye on soon-to-be sophomore Loghan Thomas. The Texas native earned some playing time off the edge in the fall, but his presence was felt on special teams on a weekly basis.
This spring, Thomas appears to be taking another step forward and Botelho appreciates the youngster’s work ethic.
”He’s explosive, quick,” stated Botelho. “I feel he’s coming on nicely. I’m proud of him. The way he practices, he goes hard. That’s something you don’t have to ever tell him. No matter what, his effort is always going to be there.”
With Botelho, Traore, and others going down, Notre Dame was in a rough position during the playoff run. Now, the Irish will return one of the deepest defensive lines in the country.
Botelho knows his starting job isn’t going to be handed to him and he’s already looking forward to earning it back.
”I was hurt, so these guys who have been in my position, they’ve been practicing hard,” said Botelho. “When I come back, I expect to compete and battle and earn my position back.”
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