Boubacar Traore’s Confidence and Health Fuel Notre Dame’s Defensive Surge
Two months ago, Notre Dame and defensive end Boubacar Traore felt confident he was ready to return, but there was still some uncertainty.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher was coming off a torn ACL and needed to prove he could regain his form.
Five games into the season, those doubts have been erased. Traore has posted 20 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss, showing the burst and power that made him one of Notre Dame’s most promising young defenders.
It’s been clear that Traore is now playing at a different speed. He credits his comfort in defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s scheme for allowing him to play freely and with confidence.
“I'd say confidence in the defense,” stated Traore. “I feel like week by week, everyone on the defense has been progressing in the right direction, and we're just focusing on playing as a team, playing fast and playing violent.”
The confidence in Ash’s scheme stems from the work Traore put into mastering it, which dates back to the spring. Despite not being able to take reps in practice, Traore spent time in the film room and made sure to meet with Ash on a regular basis.
“In the spring, just being with Coach Ash, just writing down what he's telling me about the defense, and what the goal is for each play and each run,” Traore explained. “I feel like that played a huge part.”
Traore is a firm believer in comfort breeding success and Notre Dame’s best football is coming as long as they lock in during the week.
“I feel like everybody was comfortable to start with,” stated Traore. “Those first two games, it just didn't go our way. I feel like, as we progress - every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, even Monday, we're just focusing on winning that day. As long as we win the days throughout the week, I feel like we'll play really good on Saturday.”
Notre Dame’s defensive line made a statement on Saturday as the Irish created chaos for four quarters. It’s what many expected the group to look like to start the year and Traore believes it starts with each player playing as one.
“I don't really see a difference,” Traore explained. “We were getting pressures. I think we're starting to get home now. I just feel like everyone's putting their stuff together. Everybody's just playing as one. I feel like it's week by week. As you guys can see, the defense is looking a lot better because we're coming together. We're playing fast.”
The Irish will need Traore to continue making quarterbacks feel uncomfortable this weekend as NC State’s CJ Bailey comes to South Bend.
Bailey is one of the nation’s top passers as the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder has thrown for 1,660 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.
“I feel like my impact is doing what I do,” Traore said. “Just playing violent in the run game and being able to get after the quarterback. My goal is to put the least amount of stress on the DBs because I know they have to go out there and guard and open space for some time.
“My job is really to just get back there, get to the quarterback whenever they run the ball, stop and run. I really try to do that to the best of my ability.”
As far as his recovery from the ACL injury, it’s in the past. In fact, Traore hasn’t thought too much about it since fall camp.
“A couple days after I was getting reps with the team, it just felt good,” said Traore. “I felt like I didn't lose any speed in my get-off. It was great to just get back with the guys, being able to pass rush, being able to just do everything that I was doing before.”
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