Notre Dame’s Boubacar Traore Named Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist After Breakout Season
In a season packed with defensive playmakers, Notre Dame sophomore Boubacar Traore has carved out a name for himself - and now he's being recognized nationally for it. The Fighting Irish defensive lineman has been named a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, a nod to both his resilience and his impact on one of the nation’s top defenses.
Traore’s journey back to the field has been nothing short of impressive. After a promising start to his freshman campaign in 2024 was cut short by a season-ending injury in Week 4 against Louisville, the sophomore returned in 2025 with something to prove - and he’s done exactly that.
Through the 2025 regular season, Traore has started 11 games and has been a disruptive force in the trenches. His stat line tells the story: 7.5 sacks, 37 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. But the numbers only scratch the surface of his impact.
Take Notre Dame’s dominant 36-7 win over NC State, where Traore posted the first two-sack game of his career - a performance that showcased his explosiveness off the edge and his growing confidence as a pass rusher. He also made his presence felt against Arkansas, notching a sack that marked the 10th TFL of his career. And in a statement win over Purdue, he delivered a complete performance: a sack, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
Traore has recorded five or more tackles in three games this season - against Miami, Purdue, and Syracuse - showing he’s not just a pass-rush specialist, but a well-rounded contributor who can impact every phase of the game.
His individual resurgence has helped fuel one of the most efficient defenses in the country. Notre Dame ranks among the national leaders in several key categories: fourth in turnover margin (1.08), ninth in team sacks (2.92 per game), 11th in rushing defense (99.3 yards per game), 13th in scoring defense (17.6 points per game), and 13th in team passing efficiency defense (108.80). Simply put, this Irish defense is getting it done - and Traore is right in the middle of it.
But to really understand how far Traore has come, you have to rewind to his freshman season. In just five games before his injury in 2024, he was already turning heads.
He led all FBS freshmen in sacks (3.0) and sacks per game (0.75) through the first four weeks. He had five tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and even found the end zone with a 34-yard pick-six - a rare feat for a defensive lineman.
That pick-six came during a 66-7 rout of Purdue - the worst loss in Boilermakers history - and it was part of a breakout performance that included two tackles for loss, a sack, and a quarterback hurry. All three of those plays came on third down, a testament to his knack for delivering in high-leverage situations.
The following week, he earned his first career start and made it count. In a 28-3 win over Miami (OH), Traore tied for the team lead in tackles (five), recorded two sacks for a loss of 15 yards, forced a fumble, and added a quarterback hurry. It was a career game across the board and a glimpse of what was to come - before the injury put everything on hold.
Fast forward to 2025, and Traore has picked up right where he left off, only better. He’s stronger, smarter, and more disruptive - and he’s doing it consistently. His story is one of perseverance, development, and production, and it’s exactly what the Comeback Player of the Year Award is all about.
For Notre Dame, Traore’s return has been a major boost. For opponents, he’s a problem. And for college football fans, he’s one of the best comeback stories of the season.