Notre Dame’s defensive line is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the 2026 season. After a stretch of uncertainty sparked by key departures, the Irish have reloaded with a mix of returning contributors, transfer portal additions, and a promising freshman class.
The result? A unit that might just be deeper-and more dangerous-than it was in 2025.
Let’s start with the obvious: Notre Dame lost some serious experience and production up front. Jared Dawson and Gabriel Rubio are gone after graduation, Donovan Hinish retired, Josh Burnham hit the portal, and Jason Onye’s future remains in limbo due to NCAA eligibility questions.
That kind of turnover could rattle most programs. But under defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, the Irish didn’t just patch holes-they rebuilt with purpose.
Edge Talent That Could Be Elite
The defensive end rotation might be the crown jewel of this group. Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young return after a productive 2025 campaign that saw them combine for 57 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 60 total pressures, and 27 quarterback hits and sacks. Those are big-time numbers that speak to both consistency and impact.
Now, add in Keon Keeley, a former five-star recruit and one-time Notre Dame commit who spent last season at Alabama. Keeley didn’t get a ton of snaps in Tuscaloosa-just 100 pass-rush opportunities-but he made them count.
He logged 13 tackles, three TFLs, nine pressures, and five hits plus sacks. Project that production over a full season with more reps, and Keeley could be a breakout star.
Loghan Thomas brings more depth and athleticism to the edge, and players like Rodney Dunham and Ebenezer Ewetade are raw but talented. There’s no shortage of upside here.
Sure, the group isn’t dripping with experience beyond Traore and Young, but the ceiling is sky-high. Top 10 in the country in terms of pure talent?
That’s not a stretch.
Interior Line: From Question Mark to Strength
The interior was where things looked dicey when the offseason began. At one point, Elijah Hughes-who transferred in from USC-was the most experienced player in the room. That’s no longer the case.
Notre Dame added Francis Brewu from Pitt and Tionne Gray from Oregon, two players with multiple years of eligibility and real potential to make an impact. Brewu, who logged 484 snaps last season, is now the most seasoned interior lineman on the roster. That’s a big deal for a group that needed someone to anchor the middle.
Even more important? Armel Mukam decided to withdraw from the transfer portal and stay in South Bend. That gives the Irish a returning player who knows the system and has shown flashes of what he can be.
The freshman class is also bringing serious juice. Tiki Hola and Elijah Golden headline a group that could contribute sooner than later.
And don’t sleep on players like Davion Dixon, Sean Sevillano, Cole Mullins, Gordy Sulfsted, and potentially Christopher Burgess. There’s a lot of young, hungry talent vying for snaps.
Partridge’s Impact Can’t Be Overstated
Charlie Partridge has a track record of building dominant defensive lines, and he’s already putting his stamp on this unit. His ability to develop talent and rotate bodies effectively will be key, especially with so many young players in the mix.
The Irish finished last season with 285 total pressures and 79 combined hits and sacks on opposing quarterbacks. Of those, 205 pressures and 52 hits/sacks came from the defensive line.
That’s production you can build on.
The challenge now is turning potential into performance. The depth at both defensive end and tackle is promising but unproven.
Brewu brings experience, but he’ll need help. Gray is a big-time addition, but he’s still developing.
And while the edge group is loaded with talent, it’ll be up to guys like Keeley and Thomas to translate that into consistent play on Saturdays.
Still, the outlook is dramatically different than it was just a few weeks ago. What once looked like a position group in flux now appears to be a strength. With the right mix of development, health, and scheme, Notre Dame’s defensive line could be a force in 2026-and a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.