Notre Dame’s Boubacar Traore Focused on Growth, Not Last Year’s Production

It’s a big year for Boubacar Traore. 

The 6-foot-4, 253-pound defensive end put together a productive 2025 campaign with 23 tackles and 6.5 sacks, but there’s a sense that he’s only scratching the surface.

Traore has made it a priority to spend extra time with new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge this spring and the early returns are evident.

“Just meeting with my position coach, somebody that actually knows a lot of football,” explained Traore. “Not saying that Coach Wash (Al Washington) doesn’t know football. Meeting with both of them helped me elevate my game to another level. I’d just say meeting with my coaches more and always staying in the playbook. Every day, I try to get at least two hours of film in. Just setting aside time to actually study football.” 

Partridge is widely regarded as one of the top defensive line coaches in the country and Traore is quickly learning why.

Film sessions have become a major point of emphasis, as Partridge incorporates NFL cutups while also encouraging open dialogue with his players.

“We usually watch film of players from his previous teams,” stated Traore. “He takes his drills and the drills end up translating to the game and practice. He always reminds us whenever he’s showing us a drill, if it doesn’t translate to the field, let him know because he’ll not have us do the drill.

“He always wants us to do something that’s going to translate to the field. That’s definitely something that I’ve picked up on with him.” 

Partridge has noticed Traore’s decision-making grow. Traore is seeing weak spots in lanes based on protections. 

“I think he's taken big strides that way and I'm proud of him for that,” Partridge stated. “The other part is, he's a strong guy, so he's done a good job setting edges. Now he's condensing and setting the edge more than I've seen in the past. He's taking strides in both of those areas for sure.”

On the field, Traore has been tested regularly, including matchups against former high school teammate Guerby Lambert, who has moved outside to tackle.

The two share a mutual respect and use their reps as opportunities to sharpen each other.

“He’s a really good tackle,” said Traore. “That was his original position coming into college, but things change. He’s definitely getting better. Whenever I’m going up against him, we always talk about things that he sees and things that I see. We’re just relaying information together.” 

Traore has also spent time lining up against redshirt freshman Will Black, who has been thrown into the fire at left tackle this spring.

“Will is a big guy,” Traore explained. “He’s like 6-6, 6-7, 300-plus. He has a really good anchor. He’s big. He also has really good feet. Whenever going up against him, he always gives a big challenge. Going through those battles now, by the time the season comes, they’re going to be able to block anybody in the country.” 

With several veterans gone from Notre Dame’s defensive line, Traore now finds himself as one of the leaders in the room.

That responsibility includes helping elevate players like Bryce Young and Keon Keeley, two key pieces on the edge.

“Keon’s a really good player,” explained Traore. “Him coming from Alabama, he plays physical. He’s big. He plays strong. Having him is really good for the defense.

“Bryce is also another great pass rusher. Having him on the other side is great. It’s either you slide to him or you slide to me. It’s really great having him on the other side.” 

Notre Dame enters 2026 with high expectations and Traore knows he has to do more individually for the Irish to reach where they want to go. 

“I feel like this year, I’m trying to show way more than what I did last year,” said Traore. “I feel like last year wasn’t enough, but that was last year. It’s a new year. I feel like the best is yet to come. I’m looking to do really good things this year.” 

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