Former Irish Defender Sees Tremendous Notre Dame Fit With RJ Oben
For three years from 2018-2020, Ja’Mion Franklin played for Notre Dame as a defensive tackle. Eventually, Franklin opted to transfer and ended up with the Duke Blue Devils, where he has spent three seasons and has developed into a multi-year starter and team captain.
During his time in Durham, Franklin spent a lot of time with new Notre Dame graduate transfer defensive end RJ Oben in the same room. Sharing the field, locker room, and meeting rooms together, Franklin knows exactly what Oben can bring to the Irish. It’s a place he knows well and one he thinks Oben could thrive in.
"I think that he will fit in great,” Franklin told Irish Breakdown. "He is a big-time player who makes plays in moments that the defense needs it most. On critical third downs, he’s the guy that’ll bring you home in most cases. He will pour everything that he has out for his teammates.”
As a player, Oben spent the better part of the last three years making plays for the Blue Devils. He ended his Duke career with 67 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. Oben also forced five fumbles and recorded an interception.
Obviously, Oben’s biggest impact on the field was as a pass rusher. That’s a part of his game that Franklin admires most about Oben, along with his all-around effort as a player.
"What makes RJ such an impressive player is his ability to improvise rushing on the move,” Franklin explained. "He has a versatile arsenal of pass rush tools that he can utilize and really takes what the offensive lineman gives him. He has a high motor and makes effort plays.”
As a one year member of the Irish, Oben will need to mesh quickly with the returning players. As a person, this should also be a seamless transition. Oben is a leader by example, who does his part as a member of a unit.
"He’s a great teammate,” said Franklin. "He really leads by example. He works hard. He helps guys out with the expertise he has from being a veteran player.”
The Notre Dame pass rush needs to take a massive step forward in 2024. Oben has a chance to help that unit instantly, with the upside to become an even better all around football player. If Franklin’s assessment is true, Irish fans should be very excited about this recent addition.
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