Notre Dame defensive lineman Jason Onye wants his unit to set the tone for the team. Patience has been key for the roster, as many players have had to wait for their chance, a rarity in the Transfer Portal era.
Onye, a senior, played 155 snaps in 2023, and his emergence isn’t shocking. However, he’s quickly become a vital piece of Notre Dame’s defensive line. The 6-foot-5, 291-pound lineman currently leads the team with 1.5 sacks and made a significant impact in the Irish’s dominant 66-7 victory over Purdue. He’s now focused on maintaining consistency to earn even more playing time.
“When I play fast and aggressive, I feel unstoppable,” Onye shared. “It starts in practice—good practice leads to good Saturdays.”
Al Washington’s defensive line, rich with experience, is relied upon to set the tone in each game. This will be critical against Miami (OH), whose offensive line has struggled.
“We know it starts with us,” Onye said. “We bring the energy in practice, and it’s time to bring it to the game. After Boubacar Traore scored a touchdown, I knew I had to step up. When JB (Jordan Botelho) got hurt, it fueled us even more to set the tone.”
Botelho’s injury affected the team deeply, as he had worked hard for a big season after waiting for his opportunity.
“It’s tough,” Onye admitted. “Jordan’s one of my closest friends, and it’s sad to see him go down. But we’re motivated to play for him because if he were out there, he’d be right beside us.”
Notre Dame’s defensive line depth allows for younger players to step up. Freshmen Loghan Thomas and Bryce Young have impressed Onye and are expected to take on bigger roles in Botelho’s absence.
Jason Onye
“They’re going to be great—smart, fast, and talented,” Onye praised. “It’s been fun helping them get going.”
The return of defensive tackle Gabe Rubio, who broke his foot during fall camp, is also on the horizon.
“Rubio’s my roommate and one of my best friends,” Onye shared. “He’s progressing well, and I’m excited to see him back.”
After last week’s statement win, Notre Dame aims to maintain strong practice habits to sustain momentum for the rest of the season.
“The key is practice,” Onye emphasized. “Seeing different looks, playing different positions—being able to adjust in games comes from confidence we build in practice.”
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