When looking at what position groups offer some real mystery in 2025, the defensive line for the Notre Dame football team is right at the top of the list. With guys like Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III off to the NFL, there are some big shoes to fill. Luckily, head coach Marcus Freeman knows who will step up for the Irish this fall.
Freeman spoke to several members of the Notre Dame media on Thursday and discussed a wide variety of subjects, from the USC annual rivalry to what wide receivers he thinks have a chance to break out. Eventually, the conversation turned to the defensive line.
Notre Dame’s D-line mystery just got a little clearer thanks to Marcus Freeman
The Notre Dame football head coach was asked what his expectations were for the defensive line, especially as several players are returning from injury. Freeman seems excited to watch these guys get let off the leash.
“We have high expectations for Boubacar [Troare] and Jordan [Botelho] being able to fully get back and going full go. We know what they can do.”
He also briefly discussed how the defensive alignments will be different under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash.
“We’re playing left and right end now. We kind of got away from a true vyper. We have a vyper and we call him a vyper, but we’re playing really left and right more than anything right now. It makes those guys a little bit interchangeable. You have four guys who have played a lot of ball that can at any moment go into the game and you’re to the left, you’re to the right.”
The Notre Dame football head coach also said a big lesson he learned last year is that depth is incredibly important, especially in a 16-game season. Marcus Freeman believes the Fighting Irish have that covered well.