Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1539020
12 SEPT. 13, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Jordan Botelho Returns Way Ahead Of Schedule On Aug. 26, Notre Dame released the team's injury report for Week 1 at Miami. There was one notable name absent from it. Sixth-year defensive end Jordan Botelho, who tore his left pectoral muscle while working out at home in late May, was cleared to return against the Hurricanes. His initial reported timeline was four months, putting his projected return in late Sep- tember or early October. "We didn't expect Jordan to be back for Week 1," Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said. "The work he's put in to put himself in position, physically and mentally, to help this football team shows you his commitment to this football team." Botelho was playing the best football of his career early in the 2024 season before he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 3 at Purdue. In two-plus games, he totaled a team-leading 7 quarterback pressures, including 5 in Week 1 at Texas A&M. The Hawai'i native also notched a sack against the Boilermakers before his injury. Throughout his career, Botelho has 16 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. — Jack Soble and Kyle Kelly TWO IRISH PLAYERS SUFFER SEASON-ENDING KNEE INJURIES Notre Dame tight end Kevin Bauman received heartbreaking news during his sixth fall camp in South Bend. His football career is over after yet another left knee injury, the Irish announced Aug. 9. Bauman suffered an articular cartilage in- jury in his left knee, according to Notre Dame football public relations. It's his fourth major leg injury — all in his left leg — in the past five seasons, dating back to 2021. Shortly after the Irish announced the injury, Bauman put out a statement on Instagram that confirmed his decision to medically retire from football. "Life is all about the journey," Bauman said. "Unfortunately, I suffered yet another season- ending injury. And while I have been struggling to soak it in, I have taken a few days and prayed about it. While my journey as a football player has come to an end, I can confidently say the rest of my life is just getting started." Redshirt freshman running back Kedren Young will also miss the 2025 season because of a torn ACL he suffered during Notre Dame's second week of fall camp. He was set to take on a larger role after a strong offseason. Young carried 21 times for 116 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman, working mostly in garbage time. The 5-foot-11, 240-pound back could have competed for goal line carries if he stayed healthy. "I want him to always approach the game like he's going to be a starter because I think that kid has a bright future and it's sooner rather than later," running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider said in fall camp. "I think he had a great spring to the point where he elevated and pushed the room." — Jack Soble and Tyler Horka NOTRE DAME UNVEILS FOOTBALL-SPECIFIC LEPRECHAUN LOGO Notre Dame has unveiled a football-specific leprechaun logo, the athlet- ics department announced Aug. 21. According to a press release, more team-specific leprechaun logos will be released during the 2025-26 school year, which began Aug. 25. Other team-specific logos could be released in future seasons as well. " The Notre Dame Leprechaun is a secondary spirit mark of Notre Dame athletics," the Irish wrote in their press release. "Its long-standing history represents the tenacious spirit of the Fighting Irish and their determination." The new-look leprechaun, instead of putting its fists up in a fighting posture, carries a football and tucks it high and tight. Some smaller details are also changed, like the design of its hat and the size of its shoes, but it maintains the signature mean mug that has defined the Irish since the original leprechaun logo's debut in 1964. Fighting Irish fans can purchase gear with the new-look leprechaun at shop.fightingirish.com. — Jack Soble NOTRE DAME PLAYERS ON PRESEASON WATCH LISTS Player, Pos. Preseason Watch List(s) Jeremiyah Love, RB Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award Leonard Moore, CB Nagurski, Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award Drayk Bowen, LB Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik, Butkus Award Billy Schrauth, OL Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award Aamil Wagner, OL Outland Jaylen Sneed, LB Butkus Malachi Fields, WR Biletnikoff Award Jadarian Price, RB Doak Walker Aneyas Williams, RB Doak Walker Ashton Craig, C Rimington Trophy Dallas Golden, CB Freshman Player of the Year Boubacar Traore, DE Comeback Player of the Year Gi'Bran Payne, RB Comeback Player of the Year Charles Jagusah, OL Comeback Player of the Year Botelho was not expected to be back until late September or early October at the earliest, but he was cleared to return for the season opener at Miami Aug. 31. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER