Notre Dame 2024 Defensive End Recruiting Is Still A Significant Question
The 2023 defensive line class once looked like it could be a historic one for Notre Dame, but the Irish missed on its top two targets. While the Irish landed a strong defensive line haul, the edge class never quite reached its potential.
Now the pressure is on position coach Al Washington to get back on track and strike it big in the 2024 class. Right now the board is deep, but there are many questions about whether or not Notre Dame can land the top end talent, especially at the Vyper position.
NEEDS IN 2024
There is no question that this is a make or break year of recruiting for Washington. Numbers aren’t as much a need as adding impact talent on the edge.
Notre Dame landed three players that could play end in the 2023 class when it signed Brenan Vernon, Boubacar Traore and Armel Mukam. There is a lot of upside in the group, but all three also need a lot of work. Getting a couple of edge types who could potentially fight for early playing time in their careers could be a huge help in this class.
Landing two edges in the 2024 class is ideal, but Notre Dame loaded up on bigs in the 2023 class, so at least one true edge player with Vyper skills is a must.
TOP TARGETS - VYPER
The Vyper position is Notre Dame's boundary, or weakside, defensive end. It's the spot that Isaiah Foskey played last season for the Irish.
There is a good argument that Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic pass rusher Elijah Rushing is one of the top players in the 2024 recruiting class regardless of position. At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Rushing is a long and explosive athlete with massive upside at defensive end. Notre Dame got off to a good start with Rushing, securing a visit from the Arizona star last off-season.
Rushing is a unique talent that could play Vyper or defensive end for the Irish, but he's very much in the Foskey mold as a player, with a bit more flexibility. The staff has been out to see him multiple times over the last month to continue demonstrating their interest. Unfortunately, Notre Dame seems to have faded with Rushing, and it will take a major comeback for the Irish to secure him in the end.
Notre Dame is in a better spot with Windsor (Conn.) Loomis Chafee edge Jacob Smith. The 6-4 and 227 pounds Vyper prospect is a twitched up pass rusher with a ton of upside down the road. Notre Dame has hosted Smith on multiple occasions, including a recent Junior Day visit in early January.
The Irish feel like the clear leader but there is some lack of understanding for when Smith and his brother Jerod plan on making their commitment. Either way, he is a player that Notre Dame wants.
A newer player to the list, there is a high level of intrigue in Katy (Texas) Paetow star Loghan Thomas. The Texas native is a really intriguing football player. He is a pretty long and flexible athlete who presents a lot of upside as a speed rusher.
It is unclear how much interest there will be in Notre Dame but the hope is to get Thomas on campus over the next couple of months. Continuing their pipeline in Texas is a huge bonus for an overall talented football player.
The Irish staff also has several talented defensive ends on the board that they are keeping a close eye on. A big board may seem overkill to some but it is evident just how important of a cycle that 2024 is for the future of the unit.
The Irish have had some success in the state of Hawaii in the past, including former Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te’o. Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis standout Anelu Lafaele is another Hawaii player that the program has their eyes on. He naturally fits the role of a Vyper, having the ability to rush the passer and play in space.
Among the more talented players on the board is Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy star pass rusher Ernest Willor Jr., who is rated as one of the elite talents at the position nationally. Notre Dame will continue to recruit Willor but it is unlikely that there will be much traction.
A local product, Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy pass rusher Marquise Lightfoot is another intriguing Vyper option that Notre Dame is keeping tabs on. He’s smooth, bendy and has more growth potential down the road. He could develop into a really good player in the right situation.
TOP TARGETS - DEFENSIVE END
The defensive end position is also referred to as the "big end." It is the end that lines up to the field, or strongside of the defense. That is the position Rylie Mills, Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Khalid Kareem have played in recent seasons.
Notre Dame loaded up on defensive ends in the 2023 class, with Vernon, Traore and Mukam all potentially projecting to that position. That puts Notre Dame in position to be a bit more picky in this class, where it can focus on higher ceiling type of players.
Notre Dame has made a push recently for Charlotte (N.C.) Christian standout Bryce Young, who is the son of former Irish great Bryant Young. At 6-5 and 240 pounds, Young has the type of body type and upside to play either at Vyper or big end down the road.
He is nowhere near his ceiling and that is the most intriguing part of the standout pass rusher’s profile. There is obvious interest in Notre Dame. The program is looked at as the easy favorite right now and has a chance to close in the near future.
Another recent addition to the board, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel athlete Darien Mayo is one of the more impressive pass rushers in the 2024 recruiting pass. At 6-6 and 240 pounds, Mayo brings a ton of length and explosiveness to the table. He is one of the big risers in the class recently.
If you look up the prototype for a big end, you’ll probably find a picture of Avon (Conn.) Old Farms defensive lineman Benedict Umeh. At 6-6 and 270 pounds, Umeh is incredibly long and presents a lot of linear explosiveness as well. There are some parallels to former Irish star Stephon Tuitt with his ability to play on the edge and on the interior at times.
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2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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