Notre Dame made it all the way to the national title bout last year, thanks in large part to its fantastic defense. While Al Golden has gone on to allegedly greener pastures over in the NFL with Cincinnati, Chris Ash's unit could be just as formidable as the Fighting Irish's defense was a season ago. This is head coach Marcus Freeman's side of the ball after all. Plus, they are getting a big boost for Week 1.
One player of note along the defensive line for Notre Dame is sixth-year senior defensive lineman Jordan Botelho. The Honolulu native has been with the team since 2020. With his first year with the team not counting toward eligibility, last season was thought to be his final year of college football. However, a season-ending torn patella tendon vs. Purdue brought his redshirt senior year to an end.
Botelho had worked his way back from this knee injury, but suffered a pectoral injury back in June.
Jordan Botelho injury update is fantastic news for Notre Dame defense
Mike Singer of Blue and Gold and Rivals let it be known that Botelho will be available to play in Week 1.
Marcus Freeman on DE Jordan Botelho
— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) August 26, 2025
"He'll be available this week."
HUGE. pic.twitter.com/zfJVNgQYyp
From Grant Grubbs over on On3, the torn pectoral muscle injury Botelho suffered in June was expected to keep him out for four months. This means Botelho would have likely been out up until October. Notre Dame is expected to have another fantastic season, but it is often hard to replicate a College Football Playoff run and a national title bout appearance for most schools. The Irish seem to be an exception.
So, with a road game at the historic rival Miami Hurricanes on Sunday, it is good to have Botelho back.
How much could Notre Dame get out of Jordan Botelho in Week 1?
Looking at the starting defensive line for Notre Dame over on Ourlads, it is chock full of upper classmen. From left to right, Joshua Burnham, Gabriel Rubio, Jason Onye and Junior Tuihalamaka are all redshirt juniors or older. So, even though Botelho was a regular starter over the two previous seasons, there is no need for Freeman to rush him back. Notre Dame will need him for the long haul.
Admittedly, how much Botelho plays will be entirely up to Ash and Freeman's discretion. Clearly, Botelho will want to be out there and playing in as many meaningful snaps as possible. However, it serves the Notre Dame coaching staff to protect him from himself. After all, this is the last year he will be eligible to play college football. Botelho enters the season at 24 years old. This shall be it, folks...
Ultimately, a strong defensive line rotation will be the best course of action to throw off new Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck's timing and rhythm. Beck should have no problem picking up Shannon Dawson's offense coming over from Georgia. However, he is coming off a nasty UCL injury suffered in the SEC Championship Game vs. Texas. For as good as he can be, Beck will turn the football over.
The best pathway forward for Notre Dame to make it back into the CFP is winning with its defense.