Notre Dame’s defensive end picture is already taking shape for 2026 Training Camp, and Rodney Dunham has made sure his name is part of the conversation.
The Irish will enter camp next month with senior Boubacar Traore and junior Bryce Young locked in as the top two options at the position. After that, the competition opens up. Senior transfer Keon Keeley, junior reserve Loghan Thomas, and the freshman early-enrollee pair of Ebenezer Ewetade and Dunham are all in the mix for snaps.
Among that group, Dunham was the one who drew the loudest buzz during spring work.
Marcus Freeman pointed to the freshman’s ability to process quickly and play without hesitation.
"When you think about a freshman class coming in, we evaluate high school prospects playing as fast as they can because they know what they're doing and they know why they're doing it in whatever they're being asked to do," said Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
"When they get to college, the ones who usually play earliest are the ones who can play fast. They're not (over-) thinking.
They understand what's being asked to do, and Rodney is a guy who has been able to grasp what we're asking him to do. He's been able to play at a high, fast pace, and that's what you saw."
That spring momentum showed up in the two practices the media was allowed to watch, including the No. 12 session known as the Jersey Scrimmage. Dunham stood out in both.
Irish Illustrated’s notes from April 18 said, "Remarkable play here by Rodney Dunham, bursting through Will Black on the left side to register a TFL on the right." The same practice also included, "Rodney Dunham with a pass defensed winning on his pass rush off the edge."
His work earlier in the spring drew even more attention. On March 20, Irish Illustrated wrote, "If the quarterback were live, Dunham would've had at least three sacks today, but his most impressive play came against the run when the 6-foot-4, 242-pound freshman shed a block from Styles Prescod and wrapped up the running back in the backfield."
If that level of play carries into August Camp, Notre Dame could have found a freshman who is ready to contribute right away on the edge.
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The next step is where Larsen starts to separate himself, and spring gave Notre Dame more reason to pay attention. He is still working to round out his game as a blocker, but the combination of steady improvement and natural receiving ability has put him squarely in the conversation for a larger role, with the possibility that he could become one of the more important names in the rotation if the development continues. [Read more 🡒]