Armel Mukam Aiming For Early Role With Notre Dame

There might not be a defensive player in the 2023 recruiting class with a higher upside for Notre Dame than Woodberry Forest (Va.) School defensive end Armel Mukam. A native of Canada, Mukam just finished up his second year of playing football, and the Irish staff fell in love with his potential.

Mukam is set to head to Notre Dame in about a week. The time between him graduating from Woodberry Forest and heading to Notre Dame is short, so Mukam will have to make a quick transition.

"I think I’m ready to go,” Mukam told Irish Breakdown. "This whole year, I have been trying to work towards my goal to make an impact as soon as I get on campus. I'm a little sad that I’ll only be able to spend a week back home but that’s the sacrifices that you make to achieve your dreams.”

The last several months since his season ended, Mukam has been training nonstop to prepare for the next step. He has worked tirelessly to make an immediate impact.

"Besides throwing in track, I’ve been doing the strength program that Coach (Matt) Balis sent us all,” Mukam explained of his offseason work. "I’ve also been practicing a lot with the sprinters to improve my get off. That’s where a lot of defensive linemen win. My get off is good for high school but college is a whole different animal.

"You’re going against guys like Joe Alt, who are 6-8 but move like they’re 220 pounds,” he added. "I’ve gotten a lot bigger and a lot stronger, (I'm) up to 265 pounds now. I still have kept my twitch and move way better than I used to.”

Mukam and the rest of the 2023 class have continued to develop outstanding bonds in advance of their arrival on campus. The group expects to accomplish a lot during their careers together.

"The relationships have all been great,” he said. "We talk constantly, have a group chat and everything. We have a pretty solid class. There is talent everywhere and we’re all good people. They are all ballers on the field, especially the wide receiver group. We have already shown a little bit of just how good we can be.”

When it comes to measuring goals in year one, accomplishments on the football field is not all that matters for Mukam. He didn’t come to Notre Dame to major in football only. Mukam came to become an all-around person, a true student-athlete.

"When I measure my success, it’s a lot more than just football,” Mukam explained. "I’d like to have recognition for my academics. That would be huge for me.

"On the field, I want to make the travel roster and get in the rotation early,” he added. "I know I have the tools to do it. Admittedly I know I’m a little raw, having only been playing for two years. I know I have everything I need to be successful, just need to focus on technique.”

The upside for Mukam is immense in every area. As a football player, he’s a guy that begging against seems unwise.

Mukam had the attention of opposing offenses as a senior. In ten games, he recorded 50 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and 14 additional quarterback hurries.

He was also a standout member of the track and field team for Woodberry Forest. Mukam posted a personal best throw of 52’2.5” in the shot during his two years. In the discus throw, he had a personal best throw of 162’1”, which won him the state championship as a senior.

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

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

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