Notre Dame football gets some unexpected reinforcements heading into their 2025 season opener against the Miami Hurricanes
Notre Dame may have a secret weapon against the Miami Hurricanes
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman held his weekly press conference on Tuesday to discuss the team’s preparation for the season opener against the Miami Hurricanes. The Fighting Irish will be traveling down to Hard Rock Stadium for a class of top-10 teams, and it could have massive playoff implications in the end.
The conversation centered around the Notre Dame depth chart that was just released, as well as a number of miscellaneous topics about different players on the team, and the challenges that Miami poses. A question was asked to Coach Freeman about veteran defensive end Jordan Botelho, and his availability in that season opener on Sunday. He informed the media that Botelho will be available for that matchup, which was a pleasant surprise to the Irish fan base.
Botelho, who is heading into his sixth season with the program, was injured earlier this off-season, which required surgery for a torn pectoral. The initial expectation was for Botelho to return some time later in the season, but it appears that his recovery has been quicker than most anticipated. That could potentially add even more depth to a really impressive defensive end depth chart.
Now being available for the game doesn’t necessarily mean that Botelho will carry much of a role, or play much in general, or at all. Perhaps there is a niche role that he could play as a pass rusher, or maybe this is the first step to a full recovery, and Botelho is more of an emergency reinforcement. Either way, it will be great for Notre Dame fans to see No. 12 back with the team in such a big contest.
If Botelho is able to play, that could provide some more impact in their ability to attack Miami quarterback Carson Beck, a player who has notoriously struggled with pressure in the past. During the course of his Notre Dame career, Botelho has managed to collect 77 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. He was playing his best football in 2024 before a knee injury limited him to three games.
If anything, this news on Botelho is huge for the long term of the season. Along with a healthy Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Joshua Burnham, and Loghan Thomas, this defensive end room is the deepest it has been for the Fighting Irish in quite some time. That is extremely bad news for the opposing quarterbacks on the schedule.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
The Miami Hurricanes have an advantage that Notre Dame football will need to find an answer to heading into the season opener
Miami has an advantage over Notre Dame they need to find an answer to
