2020 Notre Dame Football Preview

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Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2020 Notre Dame Football Preview

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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 89 les for loss, six QB hurries and a fumble recovery. • Played in the season opener against Michigan in 2018, but broke his foot and did not re- turn until the Cotton Bowl against Clemson. • Played in all 13 contests as a true freshman in 2017 and notched 12 tackles (1.5 for loss). • Recorded 34 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his senior year at Kapolei. • Named first-team USA Today All-Hawai'i and was tabbed as the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Red Defensive Player of the Year. • Rated by Rivals as a three-star recruit, the No. 4 player in Hawai'i and the No. 39 defensive tackle in the country. Year G-GS Solo Ast. Total TFL Sacks 2017 13-0 7 5 12 1.5 0.0 2018 2-0 0 2 2 0.5 0.0 2019 12-12 13 9 22 2.5 0.5 Totals 27-12 20 16 36 4.5 0.5 KOFI WARDLOW • SDE Sr. • Washington, D.C. Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 240 • Saw action in two contests in 2019 and recorded one tackle. • Appeared in one game during the 2018 season and spent the 2017 season on the scout team. • Compiled 84 total stops, 28 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries, while leading St. John's College High School to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title game as a senior. • Tabbed as a three-star prospect, the No. 7 player in the District of Columbia and the No. 47 weak- side defensive end in the country by Rivals. NEWCOMERS JORDAN BOTELHO • VYPER Fr. • Honolulu Ht.: 6-2½ • Wt.: 229 • Tallied 35.5 stops and 10 sacks as a senior, while leading St. Louis High School to the Division I Open Hawai'i state championship. • Recorded 15 sacks as a junior. • Was a part of three state championship teams at St. Louis. • Was one of five high school finalists for the 2019 Butkus Award, and was tabbed as a USA Today Preseason All-American. • Earned 2018 Star-Advertiser All-State first-team recognition and the 2018 Cover 2 Manti Te'o Award (best defensive player in Hawai'i). • Was a 2020 All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl selection, but did not participate in either game. • Ranked by Rivals as a four-star prospect, the No. 1 player in Hawai'i, and the No. 11 inside linebacker and No. 175 overall prospect in the land. ALEXANDER EHRENSBERGER • SDE Fr. • Dusseldorf, Germany Ht.: 6-7 • Wt.: 247 • Will be the ninth international Notre Dame player to appear in varsity action. • Was a member of 2017 and 2018 German Na- tional Team. • Posted seven sacks, three forced fumbles, a safety, two blocked kicks and two fumble recov- eries in 2019. • Recorded 33 tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fum- bles, two blocked field goals and two blocked punts in 2018. • Spent six months in the United States as a high school sophomore at Fryeburg Academy in Maine. • Named the Defensive MVP of the PPI Interna- tional All-Star Game. • ESPN rated him as a three-star prospect and the No. 1 player in Europe. AIDAN KEANAAINA • NT Fr. • Brighton, Colo. Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 302 • Had a highly productive career at J.K. Mullen High School, recording 216 tackles, 28 stops for loss, 12.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 10 quarterback hurries and a blocked field goal. • As a senior, he recorded 77 total stops, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven quarterback hurries and a blocked field goal. • Tallied 69 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles as a junior. • Named to the 2019 Polynesian High School Player of the Year award watch list and was a 2019 Den- ver Post Gold Helmet Award finalist. • Tabbed as a 2018 and 2019 Class 5-A first-team All-West Metro Conference performer, and earned a spot on the 2018 USA Today All-Colo- rado first team and the 2018 Mile High Sports' All-Colorado first team. • Selected to participate in the Polynesian Bowl Jan. 18 in Hawai'i. • Ranked by Rivals as a four-star prospect, the No. 3 player in Colorado and the No. 29 defensive tackle nationally. RYLIE MILLS • DT Fr. • Lake Bluff, Ill. Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 259 • Recorded 32 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and seven quarterback hurries as a senior. • Notched 37 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2018. • Tabbed as the Pioneer Press All-Area Football Defensive Player of the Year and a News-Gazette All-State first-team defender in 2019. • Also was placed on the 21st Annual EDGYTIM/ Rivals.com Illinois All-State Team and the Maxwell Football Club National High School Defensive Player of the Year watch list. • Was No. 1 on The Chicago Sun Times' 2019 pre- season list of the top 10 defensive players in the Chicago area. • Rivals listed him as a four-star talent, the No. 3 player in Illinois and the No. 9 strong-side defen- sive end in the country. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 1-800-421-7751 PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com/store (Item #6622) GRILL MATS $46.95 + FREE S&H DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Grill covers & mats are made to order & shipped direct from manufacturer. Please allow time for processing. Returns not related to damage may incur fee. (Item #6621) GRILL COVERS AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND Logo or Leprechaun

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