Class Impact: Breaking Down The Commitment of Cole Mullins to Notre Dame

Breaking down how the commitment of defensive end Cole Mullins impacts the Notre Dame recruiting class and depth chart

Notre Dame picked up a very important commitment this weekend when Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek defender Cole Mullins. The 6-4, 240-pound native of the Peach State plays defensive line and linebacker for the Hawks, but Notre Dame views him as a defensive end.

Landing Mullins was important for Notre Dame. Let's break down what his commitment means for the Notre Dame 2024 class and the Fighting Irish depth chart.

NOTRE DAME CLASS IMPACT

Mullins is the 10th player to commit to Notre Dame in the 2024 class. He is the first defensive end and the second defensive lineman, joining New Jersey standout Owen Wafle. Mullins is the fourth defensive commitment, with cornerbacks Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs also being commits for the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame is looking to take at least five defensive linemen in the 2024 class, and at least two need to be edge players. The Irish signed three ends in the 2023 class and they have three players at end from the 2022 class. All three of the 2023 edge players project as big ends (field ends), so landing a Vyper is a must for Notre Dame in this class.

Whether or not Mullins is that player remains to be seen.

Mullins doesn't have much of an impact on Notre Dame's 2024 class from a rankings standpoint. On3 is the only outlet to even grade him at this point, but make no mistake, this is an important pickup for Notre Dame from a positional need standpoint, and Mullins adds legit edge talent to the class. Landing a player from Georgia is also important for Notre Dame in the class.

NOTRE DAME FIT

Mullins has skills that fit both the Vyper and Field End positions in the Notre Dame defense. That versatility is just one factor that makes Mullins an important pickup for Notre Dame. Right now the staff appears to view Mullins as a Vyper that can play multiple spots.

Notre Dame has also worked hard in recent seasons to add length and size to the edge position, and Mullins certainly brings that. He checked in at over 6-4 during his visit and he shows well above average arm length. With his frame, once Mullins gets into a college strength program and once he focuses on defensive line instead of linebacker he should be able to get to at least 260 pounds with relative ease.

Mullins plays with impressive power as both a linebacker and defensive end. The Mill Creek defender has strong hands and a good punch, traits that will allow him to become quite good at block destruction once his technique improves. His short area power allows him to arrive at the football with a lot of force. 

Mullins is a strong athlete for his size. As an edge player he fires off the ball with impressive burst, especially when he's in a two-point stance. I love the motor he shows when engaging off the edge, and his closing speed in pursuit is outstanding. A 240-pound defender that can flow laterally and close on the football the way Mullins does when he's playing inside linebacker is just not something you see very often. Mullins has top-notch balance and he's a nimble athlete that has the foot quickness and change of direction you want and need as a Vyper. 

At times Mullins will play too high when he's attacking from a two-point stance, but he has the ability to bend and play with better pad level. It will require him to just be more consistent with this when he doesn't have a hand in the ground. His block destruction is solid for his age, but the ability to punch and disengage, and use his hands to keep blockers off his body are ares where he'll need to continue developing from a repertoire standpoint.

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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

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