Defensive tackle won't be with Notre Dame football team for the spring

Things have been going so well for the Notre Dame football program this winter that the streak had to come to an end at some point. It turned out that streak did seem to come to an end with news that Gabriel Rubio is not with the team at the moment.

In fact, a report from Irish Breakdown confirmed that not only is Rubio not with the squad right now, but he won't be with the Irish this spring. The defensive tackle is said to be back home and is not enrolled in the school for this semester as he deals with what a source said are "personal matters."

According to Bryan Driskell, it's not expected that Rubio is leaving the Notre Dame football team permanently. However, his future with Marcus Freeman's program is currently up in the air as he works through his personal matters.

That is indeed a bit of a bummer as Gabriel Rubio was expected to be a big part in the middle of a Fighting Irish defense that was among the best in the country in 2023. Several stars on that side of the ball are running it back in 2024, including Xavier Watts.

Defensive coordinator Al Golden is also obviously back and with the additions on the offensive side of the ball, the Fighting Irish are expected to be among the best teams in the country.

Defensive tackle won't be with Notre Dame football team for the spring

At 6-5 and 306 pounds, Gabriel Rubio provided much-needed size and power on the defensive line. The tackle could eat up space against the run, and occupy more than one blocker. He could also make plenty of plays all on his own.

Over the last two seasons, Rubio amassed 28 tackles and four tackles for loss. With him away from the Notre Dame football program this spring, the one positive is that other players such as Jason Onye and Armel Mukam will get a chance to show what they can do.