Notre Dame Football: Spring Breakout Predictions For The Irish Defense

Making predictions for breakout players for the Notre Dame defense during the spring

Every spring you see different players breaking out, and this is true for Notre Dame and almost every other team in college football. It's part of a new team forming, and for the Notre Dame defense there are some very intriguing options for 

There are a number of options for the spring breakout players, but here are the five guys I'm predicting we'll be talking a lot about when it comes to making a big jump in play and/or production.

JORDAN BOTELHO, VYPER

There has never been a question about Botelho's talent. He was one of the crown jewels of Notre Dame's 2020 class. The questions surrounding Botelho involved where exactly he would play, and if he could stay focused enough and put in the work needed to maximize his ability. After moving between linebacker and defensive end, Botelho has finally settled in an edge player, and late last season he started to show why he was a player the Irish coveted coming out of Hawaii.

Botelho rushed the passer just 77 times last season (according to PFF), and on those 77 pressures he racked up 18 total pressures. Consider that All-American end Isaiah Foskey had 33 total pressures on 311 pass rush snaps. For context, if Botelho had 311 rushes and kept his same pressure rate he would have finished with 73 pressures.

Now we'll get a chance to see if Botelho can become a consistent pass rusher. When he was on last year he was quite good, but his success wasn't consistent. Now a senior, I predict that Botelho knows what's in front of him, and he'll be as locked in as he's been during his career. A motivated and locked in Botelho could be really, really dynamic for Notre Dame.

XAVIER WATTS, SAFETY

Watts finally got to focus on one position during the second half of the 2022 season, and by season's end he started to look much, much more comfortable. He now goes into his first offseason at Notre Dame without any conversation about where he will play. That should allow Watts to finally show off his impact talent.

Watts limited quarterbacks to less than 50% completions when he was targeted and he made a lot of plays in the alleys and against the the run game late in the season. Not only do I expect Watts to win a starting safety spot this season, I fully expect him to be Notre Dame's best safety. 

My expectation for Watt is that he'll not only continue being a productive player in the run game, but he's going to be an impact player in the pass game. Notre Dame didn't have that kind of player on the back end last season, but I predict that changes this season with Watts.

SOPHOMORE LINEBACKERS

There are two sophomore linebackers that I predict will be talked about a lot by the end of the spring, and they are Nolan Ziegler and Jaylen Sneed. I'm banking on head coach Marcus Freeman sticking to what he said is a foundation of his program, and that is competition. If Notre Dame has a real competition at linebacker this season I have no doubt that Ziegler and Sneed will earn important roles for the Irish defense.

For Sneed, I see him moving around and doing a lot of different things. Perhaps he's given a chance to compete for the starting role at Rover, but at the very least I expect Sneed to be a playmaker in Notre Dame's nickel package. Sneed has an explosive first step and I could see him, Botelho and possibly fellow sophomore Josh Burnham being part of a fast, disruptive group of pass rushers in the nickel looks. Sneed could be a breakout player in this role alone.

Ziegler is one of the bigger linebackers at 6-3 and about 230 pounds, and he's also an explosive athlete. Despite getting very few snaps last season, I won't be surprised if Ziegler forces his way into the rotation, assuming the staff actually opens up the competition at linebacker. Ziegler was a Rover in high school and a 1,000-yard receiver as a senior. He has all the athleticism that Marist Liufau brings to the table, and if he can be disciplined than Liufau was he'll be hard to keep off the field.

JASON ONYE, DEFENSIVE TACKLE

This is my biggest reach in this discussion, but I've always felt that Onye would one day break out. The tools were always there, but Onye came to Notre Dame as a very raw player. He had size, he was athletic (he's a former basketball player), but he played just two seasons of high school football due to his senior season being canceled due to Covid policies. 

Onye checked in at 292 pounds this spring, and it looks like good weight. Onye was still moving around very well in drills and it appears the light is starting to go on a bit for him. Does that mean he's ready to tap into his potential? I hope so. Onye received a 4.5-star upside grade from me coming out of high school, and I was always intrigued by his length, athleticism and natural power. If he taps into that potential there's no doubt he can become a very important figure as part of the interior defensive line rotation.

Hopefully Rylie Mills finally breaks out as the starter, and if he does, and Onye also breaks out as a rotation player, the three-technique position could be absolutely loaded this season.

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Follow me on Gettr: @IrishBreakdown
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter