Notre Dame Defensive Line Recruiting Is Gaining Momentum And Clarity

Taking a deeper look at 2024 defensive line recruiting for Notre Dame

Defensive line recruiting for the 2024 recruiting class is incredibly important. The Notre Dame staff is riding some momentum over the last few weeks, seeing the position starting to come together. After an incredibly talented, but raw 2023 defensive line group, adding impact talent with higher floors was a necessity.

Notre Dame received an early commitment from Princeton (N.J.) Hun School defensive tackle Owen Wafle last May, which at the time was a solid but somewhat questionable pickup at the time. Then the 6-3, 290-pound standout put together a fantastic junior campaign.

He exploded for 64 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 10 games. That production, combined with a substantial growth gain, quickly made Wafle’s early commitment look like an absolute steal compared to a stretch at the time. He brings a tremendous baseline, including some playmaking potential inside for a defense.

GAINING MOMENTUM

For a while, the 2024 defensive line class for the Irish remained extremely stagnant. It had almost been a year since the last commitment but that changed during the Blue-Gold Game weekend.

Things got kicked off when Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek standout Cole Mullins announced his commitment prior to the Blue-Gold Game. The 6-4, 240-pound defender had visited the campus a few days before but saw everything he needed to see from the program. Mullins is an interesting football player, bringing an impressive power profile to the table. He could conceivably project as a power Vyper or field end in Notre Dame’s system.

Notre Dame followed that commitment up with Charlotte (N.C.) Christian defensive end Bryce Young just a week later. Young is a mound of clay with loads of potential. He has grown a lot physically over the last few months, projecting favorably as a field end, and might also project some inside long term if he keeps growing. The raw tools are tremendous.

That three-man class brings a tremendous baseline. There is a nice combination of ceiling and floor, now allowing Notre Dame to push for more elite talent to add to the class.

UNDERSTANDING THE BOARD

The top target on the defensive line board continues to be Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius star Justin Scott. In fact, Scott is the top uncommitted prospect on the board regardless of position. Simply put, Notre Dame cannot have the elite defensive line class it needs without landing his commitment.

The 6-5, 310-pound defensive tackle is one of the elite players in the 2024 recruiting class. He brings playmaking potential from the interior, which is a spot that Notre Dame must continue to add. Let me state it again, Notre Dame cannot allow a five-star recruit from a prestigious Catholic school in Chicago to go anywhere but South Bend. 

Notre Dame clearly still wants to add another Vyper to the class, and if the right pair wants to come we could see them add two more. There are three extremely talented Vypers on the board, and Notre Dame needs at least one of those prospects in the class.

Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic pass rusher Elijah Rushing is another talented five-star recruit on the board. The Arizona native has been to Notre Dame before and also has an official visit schedule to Notre Dame in June. The program seemed to have lost momentum with Rushing, but the staff has worked hard to get things back on track. Notre Dame is now ascending with Rushing, although there is still a long way to go and plenty of work to be done, but at least now they are in the game. The 6-5, 240-pound defender is the type of elite outside rusher that the Irish need more of.

The team is in a good spot with Katy (Texas) Paetow defensive end Loghan Thomas, who visited campus last month, is set to return for another unofficial visit in May, and also plans to come back in June for an official visit. Long and explosive, Thomas brings some substantial upside to the position. He has experience playing in space, which is another nice layer to the Vyper position.

Arguably the highest upside on the board belongs to Drexel Hill (Pa.) Monsignor Bonner defender Mylachi Williams. The 6-5, 210-pound pass rusher is an explosive and bendy edge rusher who has an unbelievable ceiling. He continued to grow into his body quickly and as he does, Williams could be as much of an impact player as Notre Dame has recruited recently. The tools are incredible.

Notre Dame needs to land Scott and one of the edge rushers above. Do that and this is an outstanding defensive line haul. Depending on who they close on at end this could end up as an elite haul. It will be tough to get there, but the players are on the board - and set to visit campus in June - for the Irish to get there.

There are other names on the board like Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International defensive tackle Sean Sevillano Jr., who has set an official visit for next month. The 6-2, 300-pound run stopper brings some absolutely absurd production to the table. That upcoming visit is one to keep close tabs on. 

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

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

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: @RiseNDraft
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter