The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aim to build on last season’s finish and make it to their second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance, with eyes set on winning the National Championship. For that to happen, their defense must once again play lights out and show no signs of regression despite losing five starters to the next level. The Fighting Irish boasted one of the top defenses in the nation, finishing 4th in points, 11th in total yards, 4th in passing yards, and 14th in sacks in 2024.
Notre Dame accomplished this with one of their top pass rushers out for most of the year.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s EDGE rusher missed the last 13 games
Jordan Botelho was on his way to having a breakout senior season before an injury prematurely ended it. Botelho recorded 12 tackles, one TFL, seven pressures, five hurries, and one sack in three games. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in his right knee during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers, which typically carries a six-to-twelve-month recovery time.
Botelho did not participate in spring practice or the Blue-Gold Game as he rehabbed off to the side.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish super senior gives major injury update
In late March, Jordan Botelho gave a major injury update six months removed from the injury. Botelho shared that rehab is going well, along with the numerous conditioning exercises he has done during spring practices. Finally, he is expected to make a full recovery for the summer, barring any setbacks.
“When it happened, I was sad, but at the same time, I’m very fortunate and blessed to have another year,” Botelho said, via Matt Freeman of Irish Sports Daily. “Thankfully, Coach Freeman allowed me to come back and him telling me that gave me something to work toward. I’m just happy the recovery is going very well.
“I’m feeling great. Every day we’re doing more and more. I feel like it’s coming along really well. I’m attacking every day in treatment and working out.
“Rob (Hunt) was saying by summer, I should be unrestricted. I’m looking forward to that for sure.”
In a recent Instagram post, Botelho shared a video of himself working out. In this post, he was running, lifting weights, doing pass-rushing drills, and stretching, among other things. This is an indication that he should be ready for the summer, two months removed from the most recent injury update.
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