'21 RI DE Jason Onye (Notre Dame Signee)

BilboBaggins · Jan 21, 2026

SDIrishFan said:
I’ve been staring at this for 20 minutes, waiting for it to gif, and nothing!

Takes that long?

IrishInOntario · Jan 21, 2026

Assuming everyone stays healthy (which they probably won't) and assuming ND plays approximately 65 defensive snaps per game, I'd like to see the following snap share to start the season...

Nose Guard
Jason Onye (30)
Tionne Gray (20)
Armel Mukam (10)
Other (5) - including sub package pass rush snaps

Defensive Tackle
Francis Brewu (30)
Elijah Hughes (20)
Chris Burgess (15)

SDIrishFan · Jan 21, 2026

BilboBaggins said:
Takes that long?

That was just the first time...

allenm5333 · Jan 21, 2026

IrishInOntario said:
Assuming everyone stays healthy (which they probably won't) and assuming ND plays approximately 65 defensive snaps per game, I'd like to see the following snap share to start the season...

Nose Guard
Jason Onye (30)
Tionne Gray (20)
Davion Dixon (10)
Other (5) - including sub package pass rush snaps

Defensive Tackle
Francis Brewu (30)
Elijah Hughes (20)
Chris Burgess (15)

Mukham is missing. I am not sure if they view him as a 3t or Nose. If nose, move Dixon down. Subpackages for pass rush excite me too

Dale · Jan 21, 2026

It wouldn’t shock me if Brewu plays more NT than Onye.

Brewu/Gray - Hughes/Onye

Undersized but potentially better anchor than Onye. I mean 6’5 302 is not thick. He will have that old man strength of being a 6th year

Domer Dude · Jan 21, 2026

Veritate Duce Progredi said:
This is amazing. I thought it was going to take ND creating social backlash to get this approved. He 100% deserved this waiver.

Can't wait to see what Onye can do in his final year. How's everyone feeling vis-a-vis defensive tackles?

The backbone of a national title run...

IrishInOntario · Jan 21, 2026

allenm5333 said:
Mukham is missing. I am not sure if they view him as a 3t or Nose. If nose, move Dixon down. Subpackages for pass rush excite me too

You're right, I missed Mukam. I think he'd ideally fit into the 3rd team NG spot. At least to start the year.

Updated to reflect my omission.

Rocketman84 · Jan 21, 2026

NDPhilly said:
Think it’s interesting to think about how a guy like Onye would be viewed in the portal vs the guys we got. I don’t think there are 10 DTs transfers better than him. Would have gotten absolutely paid.

Top 5 by On3 but somewhere close to 8-10 by 247 more then likely

lefty5258 · Jan 21, 2026

imagine 3rd and short and you just stick Onye at 6-5 302 and Tionne Gray at 6-6 330 in the middle. Plugged up!

Rocketman84 · Jan 21, 2026

Jiggafini19Deux said:
Hey Keon. Welcome to Notre Dame. Here's a key to your room, some Ozempic and a salad. Cole is over there eating some crackers.

Agreed, love for Keon to be at around 265-270 max and for Mullins to be playing at around 260 this season. Being able to utilize their speed and quickness would pay huge dividends with guys like Traore and Young on the other end.

NYDOMER · Jan 21, 2026

2008 need to come back now

Wild Bill · Jan 21, 2026

Burgess is the wild card here. If he’s big/strong enough to hold the point and his snap count is close to Onye and Gray, the defense will be much better overall, imo. Tall DTs tend to play high when fatigue sets in - if Burgess meets his potential, Onye and Gray get fewer snaps but play those snaps at a higher level.

Rocketman84 · Jan 21, 2026

IrishInOntario said:
NG: Jason Onye
2. Tionne Gray
3. Armel Mukam

DT: Francis Brewu
2. Elijah Hughes
3. Chris Burgess

Yep. Sign me up for this... If they haven't been already, I'd start cutting weight off Keon Keeley and Cole Mullins immediately. I'd like to see them both in the 260-265lb range, as the #3/#4 DE's rounding out the 2-deep behind Young and Traore.

DE: Bou Traore (RJr.); Loghan Thomas (Jr.); Cole Mullins (RSo.)

DT: Francis Brewu (Jr.); Armel Mukam (RJr.); Chris Burgess (RFr.) AND/OR Elijah Hughes (Sr.)

NT: Jason Onye (6th); Tionne Gray (RSo.); Elijah Hughes (Sr.); Sean Sevillano (RSo )

DE: Bryce Young (Jr.) AND/OR Keon Keeley (RJr.); Rodney Dunham (Fr.)

Dark horse would be Elijah Golden who could play a couple of positions across the Defensive front. I'd expect him to get in for his 4 games and play well in spot duty.

BeatSC · Jan 21, 2026

NDPhilly said:
Think it’s interesting to think about how a guy like Onye would be viewed in the portal vs the guys we got. I don’t think there are 10 DTs transfers better than him. Would have gotten absolutely paid.

Think it’s more than just about money for Jason. He’s playing the long game and finishing ND with a masters degree and 6 years of loyalty should mean something long term. I think ND and Marcus have made the experience more than just about getting paid. Given how we’ve done in the portal we shouldn’t miss Burhnam (our biggest loss) at all.

BeatSC · Jan 21, 2026

rtrn2glory said:
That doesn't surprise me TBH. Traore was actually quite underwhelming to me last year. Might've had too high of expectations for him personally.

Thought the same about Traore that’s why I thought it was a joke when they reported he was forgoing the draft and coming back for another year. That would have been quite the surprise for us and for him.

Irish#1 · Jan 21, 2026

Dale said:
Do we have too many DTs?

Ask 08.

Irish#1 · Jan 21, 2026

NYDOMER said:
2008 need to come back now

Is it a coincidence that we got all of this talent while he's gone?

IrishInOntario · Jan 21, 2026

Rocketman84 said:
DE: Bou Traore (RJr.); Loghan Thomas (Jr.); Cole Mullins (RSo.)

DT: Francis Brewu (Jr.); Armel Mukam (RJr.); Chris Burgess (RFr.) AND/OR Elijah Hughes (Sr.)

NT: Jason Onye (6th); Tionne Gray (RSo.); Elijah Hughes (Sr.); Sean Sevillano (RSo )

DE: Bryce Young (Jr.) AND/OR Keon Keeley (RJr.); Rodney Dunham (Fr.)

Dark horse would be Elijah Golden who could play a couple of positions across the Defensive front. I'd expect him to get in for his 4 games and play well in spot duty.

Yep, that's how I have it as well. Some of those 2nd and 3rd team guys are probably interchangeable and may fluctuate as the season goes on... That could be the difference in getting 20'ish snaps per game and 10'ish snaps per game, which is substantial.

ab2cmiller · Jan 21, 2026

Irish#1 said:
Is it a coincidence that we got all of this talent while he's gone?

We had to sacrifice 08 to appease the DT gods.

I predict that on February 1st, there will be announcements of academic suspensions and DT injuries as a result of DT's racing Rascals in the South Quad.

allenm5333 · Jan 21, 2026

Rocketman84 said:
DE: Bou Traore (RJr.); Loghan Thomas (Jr.); Cole Mullins (RSo.)

DT: Francis Brewu (Jr.); Armel Mukam (RJr.); Chris Burgess (RFr.) AND/OR Elijah Hughes (Sr.)

NT: Jason Onye (6th); Tionne Gray (RSo.); Elijah Hughes (Sr.); Sean Sevillano (RSo )

DE: Bryce Young (Jr.) AND/OR Keon Keeley (RJr.); Rodney Dunham (Fr.)

Dark horse would be Elijah Golden who could play a couple of positions across the Defensive front. I'd expect him to get in for his 4 games and play well in spot duty.

I never know what the heck will happen with DTs because Mills play 3t and Cross a Nose. So my brain is mush after that

Dale · Jan 21, 2026

allenm5333 said:
I never know what the heck will happen with DTs because Mills play 3t and Cross a Nose. So my brain is mush after that

Not smart enough to crush one tech versus 3 tech film but based off alignment, NT the last three years have been Rubio, Cross, Dawson and Hinish. That’s why combined with his strength, IMO Brewu will split time with Gray at NT, not Onye.

Rocketman84 · Jan 21, 2026

IrishInOntario said:
Yep, that's how I have it as well. Some of those 2nd and 3rd team guys are probably interchangeable and may fluctuate as the season goes on... That could be the difference in getting 20'ish snaps per game and 10'ish snaps per game, which is substantial.

Yea, I'd be 100% certain barring injury on the two deeps everywhere except maybe Loghan Thomas but I'm still pretty high on him making the two deep especially if he can put on about 15-20 lbs. All the guys after are certainly interchangeable and can move from 3rd to 4th.

IrishInOntario · Jan 21, 2026

Rocketman84 said:
Yea, I'd be 100% certain barring injury on the two deeps everywhere except maybe Loghan Thomas but I'm still pretty high on him making the two deep especially if he can put on about 15-20 lbs. All the guys after are certainly interchangeable and can move from 3rd to 4th.

I'm not certain at this point that Thomas will be big / strong enough to hold the point of attack on run downs. If Mullins dies make the move back to DE I wouldn't be surprised if he plays the Burnham/ Tuihalamaka role on high percentage run downs, while Thomas plays nearly exclusively on high percentage run downs. We'll see what Thomas can do in the mass / strength department.

slick7410 · Jan 21, 2026

IrishInOntario said:
I'm not certain at this point that Thomas will be big / strong enough to hold the point of attack on run downs. If Mullins dies make the move back to DE I wouldn't be surprised if he plays the Burnham/ Tuihalamaka role on high percentage run downs, while Thomas plays nearly exclusively on high percentage run downs. We'll see what Thomas can do in the mass / strength department.

I had been envisioning Mullins continuing to bulk up as a long process - but, I like your thoughts; especially with the inside as constructed now. Thomas will be interesting I think he was listed at 224 as a FR. >> down to 220 as a R-FR.

Veritate Duce Progredi · Jan 21, 2026

Rocketman84 said:
Yea, I'd be 100% certain barring injury on the two deeps everywhere except maybe Loghan Thomas but I'm still pretty high on him making the two deep especially if he can put on about 15-20 lbs. All the guys after are certainly interchangeable and can move from 3rd to 4th.

I'm 100% uncertain. There is a lot of shifting that occurs over spring/summer/fall without injury. I think your guess is probably as good as any other I've seen but I'm curious if Sevilliano or Dixon make any noise. I want to see if Bryce Young takes the #1 spot in definitive fashion or if 2-3 others can make it seem like a timeshare.

Cole Mullins has had glowing things said about him since he joined. With a full year in the program, I want to see if he can move up and earn #2 snaps. Can Burgess surge? No clue on the freshmen or any unnamed RS freshmen.

HouseofPain · Jan 21, 2026

This is a very slippery slope. When you are approving additional playing years for "mental health" purposes, you run into a very easily exploitable situation. You cant prove mental health issues. It is like PSD in the military. An easy way to get a lifelong disability check with no way to prove nor disprove so the military is forced to pay it. Like it or not, we are entering an era where college players not going to the pros will make more money in school then they will out of school. Hence, they have motivation for remaining in school as long as possible. At least the Covid year additional year is going away.

Veritate Duce Progredi · Jan 21, 2026

HouseofPain said:
This is a very slippery slope. When you are approving additional playing years for "mental health" purposes, you run into a very easily exploitable situation. You cant prove mental health issues. It is like PSD in the military. An easy way to get a lifelong disability check with no way to prove nor disprove so the military is forced to pay it. Like it or not, we are entering an era where college players not going to the pros will make more money in school then they will out of school. Hence, they have motivation for remaining in school as long as possible. At least the Covid year additional year is going away.

Most players won't completely withdraw from the team/season to play the system. Mental health has been a valid reason and Onye used it as a legitimate explanation for his inability to play out his eligibility thus requesting one additional year to finish.

I'm sure we could dream up tons of scenarios that misuse this but I think Onye's journey is unlikely to be copied to game the system.

IrishInOntario · Jan 21, 2026

slick7410 said:
I had been envisioning Mullins continuing to bulk up as a long process - but, I like your thoughts; especially with the inside as constructed now. Thomas will be interesting I think he was listed at 224 as a FR. >> down to 220 as a R-FR.

I want to be clear that I don't have any information suggesting that ND is looking to move Mullins back to DE, but I genuinely think the dude can play and simply needs an opportunity to get on the field. With the departures of both Burnham and Tuihalamaka and Burgess now at 290+ lbs and making an obvious move to 3-tech, there is a role for a strong, veteran defensive end to play on run downs and ideally, that guy would have some DE experience and SOME pass rush ability.

Mullins best fits the description of the player described above. He's a big, long limbed dude and last year he was 275lbs. He could probably continue to bulk up to near 300lbs, but that will likely always be weight that he's working hard to keep on. I wonder if it would be easier for him to lean out by 10-15'ish pounds and play SDE in the more natural 260-265lb range.

I guess we'll see in the spring, but I think Mullins best path to playing time is as a potential 2-deep player on the edge.

allenm5333 · Jan 21, 2026

IrishInOntario said:
I want to be clear that I don't have any information suggesting that ND is looking to move Mullins back to DE, but I genuinely think the dude can play and simply needs an opportunity to get on the field. With the departures of both Burnham and Tuihalamaka and Burgess now at 290+ lbs and making an obvious move to 3-tech, there is a role for a strong, veteran defensive end to play on run downs and ideally, that guy would have some DE experience and SOME pass rush ability.

Mullins best fits the description of the player described above. He's a big, long limbed dude and last year he was 275lbs. He could probably continue to bulk up to near 300lbs, but that will likely always be weight that he's working hard to keep on. I wonder if it would be easier for him to lean out by 10-15'ish pounds and play SDE in the more natural 260-265lb range.

I guess we'll see in the spring, but I think Mullins best path to playing time is as a potential 2-deep player on the edge.

Agree. He played Lb in HS and expectation was DE. Was kind of a WTF when he was getting DT reps

Crazy Balki · Jan 22, 2026

Rocketman84 said:
Top 5 by On3 but somewhere close to 8-10 by 247 more then likely

That would essentially mean that ND landed 3 top 5 DTs in the portal this year.

Per On3, Brewu was 3 and Gray was 4.

'21 RI DE Jason Onye (Notre Dame Signee)

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