Joshua Burnham has been a staple on the Notre Dame defensive line over the last few years, but he had to show a little patience to start 2025.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder was in a similar spot a year ago with a nagging sprained ankle that slowed him down for most of the year.
Entering last weekend, Burnham’s strain adductor injury had limited his play count, but the Michigan native saw a season-high 40 snaps against Boston College.
“I want to get out there every chance that I get, especially coming in this season,” said Burnham “Getting a little dinged up during the end of fall camp and not really getting the opportunity that I was hoping for and looking for. I came in with a chip on my shoulder and hope to show that after this past week.”
Burnham would also be the first to acknowledge that there were frustrations with starting another year slowly due to injury, but he also knows the staff had to do what was best for the team.
“It’s definitely frustrating for sure, knowing that you’re not 100 percent, but at the end of the day, no one is going to be 10 percent in college football,” explained Burnham. “Going in there, working with Coach (Loren) Landow and the trainers, we have the best in the country. Just being able to have those resources has helped me a tremendous amount.”
Burnham had three tackles, all of which went for loss, including a sack. He would have had two sacks if not for a phantom facemask penalty.
It was a statement that he’s back.
“Personally, I feel 100 percent,” Burnham stated. “I feel like I’m good, ready to go. I’m glad to be back. I feel like I’ve been pretty good the past couple weeks. I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity to get out there, and I feel like I got that this past weekend.”
Defensive line coach Al Washington has appreciated Burnham’s patience and team first mentality over the first two months of the season.
“He's a pro,” stated Washington. “It was tough for him to start the year. He was dealing with it and he'd be the first to tell you that he wasn't always happy. I tell you, like you talk about relationships and being honest, and we've had those conversations. To his credit, he always showed up and worked.
“I know him pretty well and have a ton of respect for him, how he approaches the game. I'm happy that he was able to help the team. I think that was the motivating force for him, to be honest with you. He's accustomed to having a chance to impact the team.”
Notre Dame’s defense had Boston College’s quarterbacks under duress for most of the game, resulting in three interceptions on the day.
The Fighting Irish now lead the country in interceptions with 16. Burnham and the defensive line take great pride in helping the secondary shine.
“I think we’ve been playing good complementary football,” Burnham said. “We need the DBs to play good, tight coverage so we can get home and get sacks, and vice versa we need to be able to get to the quarterback and make him throw that ball up so they can get it. It’s been a huge team effort overall.”
The Notre Dame defense lacked eye discipline to start the year, but there has been a gradual improvement over the six-game winning streak. Saturday will be a true test of how far the unit has come as no team will test eye discipline more than Navy.
Burnham believes his experience facing the triple-option gives him an advantage over some of his peers, who will be facing it for the first time.
“I’ve played them for the past three years,” explained Burnham. “Just having the background with it all compared to some of the newer guys, like Boubacar (Traore) was hurt. This is going to be his first time playing it. Same thing with Loghan (Thomas). Bryce (Young) played them last year.
“The hardest thing, I especially tell those young guys, your first time around it’s going to be so much faster than what you can imagine. This is what they do, day in and day out. Having those past couple years has definitely helped slow it down and made things easier.”
November is here and Notre Dame checked in at No. 10 in the first College Football Playoff ranking on Tuesday evening.
Burnham has experienced the pressure of the November football and
“It starts at the start of the season until now,” said Burnham. “I don’t think our mindset changes. We have to take care of one game at a time and don’t overlook anything, especially with the rankings. We can’t have guys, especially the younger guys, focusing on all of that.
“We have to come in and work every day. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
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