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The State of Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Defense

By Nathan Erbach

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Danny Pinter #75 of the Ball State Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Danny Pinter #75 of the Ball State Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium on September 8, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Ball State 24-16.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Matt Colburn #22 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons is dropped by Julian Okwara #42 of  Notre Dame Football at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defensive recruiting for Notre Dame football has seen an uptick in overall talent and depth over the last several seasons.

A few weeks back, I took a look at the state of Notre Dame football recruiting on the offense, but now it is time to look at defense. Notre Dame doesn’t typically have an issue on offense. Going back to Charlie Weis, many big names have walked through those doors. However, on defense it has been a bit more mild and there is a shorter list to remember. With that said, since the additions to the new coaching staff, defensive recruiting has been on the upswing.

From Brian Van Gorder to Mike Elko/Clark Lea, transitioning Mike Elston back to the defensive line and bringing in Terry Joseph to man the safeties and oversee the passing game on defense, defensive recruiting has seen a complete overhaul at key positions.

Let’s take a look at the current state of things, starting with the defensive end position.

Defensive End

Currently on roster: Khalid Kareem (4 star), Daelin Hayes (4 star), Julian Okwara (4 star), Adetokunbo Ogundegi (3 star), Jamir Jones (3 star), Ovie Oghoufo, Justin Ademilola (3 star), Kofi Wardlow (3 star), Isaiah Foskey (4 star), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (4 star).

Current commits: Jordan Botelho (4 star), Alexander Ehrensberger (3 star).

Perhaps the strongest position group currently on the Notre Dame roster and maybe the country. Notre Dame has done a terrific job over the last several cycles mixing top notch talent with developmental athletes and molding all of them into a dynamic group. We saw firsthand last season what Kareem and Okwara meant to the team. We also saw what Hayes and Ogundeji meant as depth pieces that could start for the majority of teams. All of those guys return this season. Looking past 2019, the Irish will (likely) return Ogundeji and Jamir Jones as fifth year seniors and will welcome Oghoufo, Ademilola, Foskey and NaNa into the mix — another exciting foursome. Jordan Botelho could even be the best of the bunch as an incoming freshman. Notre Dame fans should truly be excited about the present and future at defensive end.

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