Rylie Mills Announces His Return For 2024
Notre Dame got some big news tonight as senior defensive tackle Rylie Mills announced he plans to return for the 2024 season.
The interior of the defensive line was a major strength for an Irish defense that was one of the nation’s best this season. Notre Dame finished the season ranked 8th in scoring defense, 8th in total defense and 5th in yards allowed per play.
With Mills making this announcement days after fellow defensive tackle Howard Cross III announced he was returning, the Irish will go into 2024 with one of the best DT depth charts in all of college football.
Mills heads into the Sun Bowl matchup against Oregon State with 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. This was his first full season playing inside after Mills spent his first three seasons playing defensive end.
Another season playing inside should allow Mills to become a more technically sound interior player. Mills was disruptive this season, but improvements from a technical standpoint could allow him to make more plays on the ball, which will allow him to rack up more sacks and tackles for loss.
Mills has 16.5 career tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Notre Dame loses both its field ends, and linebackers JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau will also go pro, as is standout cornerback Cam Hart. Safeties Thomas Harper and DJ Brown are out of eligibility. Many of the replacements will be talented, but also young. Getting Mills and Cross back to anchor the defense is important for the Irish. If All-America safety Xavier Watts also decides to return the Irish should once again have an elite defense.
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