Film Don't Lie | Jordan Botelho
The Blue-Gold game was yet another example of the value of edge rushers. Notre Dame currently has a surplus of them, but unfortunately they will be losing three after this season.
They need to replace them and build up the same kind of depth they have now. For this class, it means landing at least one elite prospect who can play Drop end.
Consider that box checked after they gained a commitment from Jordan Botelho (Honolulu, Hawaii). He already shows the traits to be a factor early in his college career and I have him ranked as the best edge defender that the Irish have landed during the Brian Kelly era.
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220
Projected Position: Drop
ISD Grade: 95 (4-star, #38 in the ISD Fab 50)
National Average Grade: 93.4 (4-star)
What he does best:
It’s a long list for Botelho, which is why he’s a Fab 50 prospect.
What I love about his game is that he can win in a variety of ways as a pass rusher. He can convert speed to power like he does on this bull rush.
He flashes the speed to turn the corner and finish like on this sack.
And when he gets to the quarterback, he arrives with violence and is looking to strip the football. He also has a great motor and he’s going to get involved with many plays because of how relentless he is.
Botelho shows the ability to set the edge in the running game as well. This is a fantastic job gaining separation from the tight end and then making the the play.
Making plays appears to be a habit for Botelho. He even make plays in coverage and is perfectly suited to take on the responsibilities that the Drop has in Notre Dame’s defense.
What he needs to improve:
He needs to develop his hands as a pass rusher. Speed, power, and motor can go a long way into helping someone produce as a pass rusher, but he could become dominant if he can use his hands better. Especially if he can develop some counters with how great his motor is.
Right now he’s undersized so it will be interesting to see what he weighs when he starts his college career. He doesn’t have to be 260 pounds to play drop, but he needs to add weight and strength to be able to do the things he does against his current level of competition.
ISD’s Matt Freeman has told me that he believes Botelho is closer to 230 after seeing him in person so that is positive news.
While he shows the ability to bend and finish, he needs to work on his lean. Some guys never develop that because they physically can’t do it that well, but it’s something Julian Okwara did over the last couple of years for the Irish.
What’s his ceiling?
He’s the second player Notre Dame has landed that’s in my top-50 prospects in the class of 2020 so that should say a lot about how I feel about his ceiling as a player.
I believe Botelho has the potential to be a multi-year starter at Drop and someone who could find himself playing in Notre Dame’s 3rd down package early in his career. Effort and finish matter so much when it comes to winning as a pass rusher and those are two things that pop out with him on film.
I see him as one of the better edge rushers in this recruiting cycle and think he can be one of the better ones in college football if he develops like he should for the Irish.