DL Elijah Hughes Finding Consistency, Confidence in Second Year at Notre Dame
2025 was a year of transition for Elijah Hughes.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive lineman transferred in from USC and faced the challenge of adjusting to a new school, a new defensive system and a new locker room. Like most transfers, it took time.
But as the season progressed, Hughes found his footing. Now, with a full offseason in South Bend, he’s focused on elevating his game.
“The goal this spring would be consistency,” said Hughes. “Last year, I felt like I was gaining in consistency as the year went along, but there’s still room to grow there. I want to be the same player every day and then I also want to unlock a new level of my pass rush.”
That growing comfort translated into production. Hughes finished with a career-high 21 tackles and a sack, but more importantly, he found confidence.
“As we got toward the middle of the season, I think what really changed was my confidence,” explained Hughes. “My confidence improved a lot. I was working with the coaching staff, my teammates and as I gained more confidence, I was able to play fast.
“That allowed me to trust my instincts and keep rolling versus kind of being in my head and thinking and playing slow, which I thought early in the season was holding me back a little bit.”
While Notre Dame lost defensive line coach Al Washington to the NFL, head coach Marcus Freeman responded by hiring veteran coach Charlie Partridge — a move that’s already paying dividends.
Hughes, who has worked with multiple position coaches across two programs, quickly bought into Partridge’s message.
“He's extremely technical, which I'm sure a lot of guys have said before,” Hughes stated. “One thing that makes him especially unique is his main goal, and he makes it very clear, which is to get us better. He's not trying to do anything unnecessary, as far as theatrics or whatnot, except for the coaching points. It's been really fun to work with him.”
Partridge has been equally impressed with Hughes, particularly his effort and mindset.
“Absolutely love his attitude,” Partridge explained. “He works himself to the bone every practice. I have not seen him walk off the practice field anything other than exhausted because he empties the tank every day. I really tip my hat to him and I'm excited to see him continue to grow.”
That work ethic extends beyond the field. Hughes, a double major in accounting and finance, is taking full advantage of what Notre Dame offers off the gridiron.
Partridge recalled a moment when Hughes had to juggle football with a networking opportunity.
“There's one time we were trying to find an extra time to meet and he said, 'I have a coffee chat.' I said, ‘What?’ It was some professional opportunity to network, and that's the cool thing about a place like Notre Dame. You have guys going and meeting people in his area of expertise, professionally outside of football and we're trying to find time to lean in on fixing something, knee pointing his stance or getting his wrist a little tighter, closer together on a strike.”
On the field, one of the biggest points of emphasis this spring has been maintaining rush lane discipline, a significant detail of an effective pass rush.
“Rush lanes are extremely important because if you lose them, it doesn't matter if three guys get off a block, the quarterback's gone for 20 yards,” said Hughes. “That's been a point of emphasis this spring and I think we've seen it show up.”
Hughes has experienced plenty in his college career, playing for two blue-blood programs. That perspective made one recent development especially disappointing as the Notre Dame–USC rivalry came to an end earlier this year.
“That was a shame,” Hughes said. “I’d have to say Week 6 of last year was the most fun I’ve ever had playing a football game. It was a shame not to get that opportunity to go back to the Coliseum this year, but it is what it is. We just play whoever’s on the schedule.”
Having seen the rivalry from both sides, Hughes understands what’s being lost.
“I feel like there’s a story that’s lost here of the things that make college football what it is,” said Hughes. “There’s a lot of storylines within the games, within the teams, and that’s one of the best stories to tell, the greatest, longest-standing intersectional rivalry.
“A lot of the history behind it is tied to how Notre Dame became Notre Dame. I’d say that’s what’s lost the most.”
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