Quick-hitters: Notre Dame DL coach Al Washington on freshmen, targeting, Jordan Botelho and more
Notre Dame (2-2) is back from its bye week and in the midst of preparing for Saturday’s game against No. 16 BYU (4-1). Fighting Irish defensive line coach Al Washington spoke to the media about a variety of topics related to the Notre Dame defense Tuesday night.
Here are some of his key talking points, which mostly revolved around personnel questions.
On what has gotten sophomore Gabriel Rubio on the field
“His consistency, his work ethic, his fundamentals, his development. From spring to now, this guy is getting better and better. And he’s not anywhere close to being a finished product. But that dude, he’s a good player and he provides that toughness, that size. Him and Chris Smith, man. Chris Smith is another one. Those guys are pound for pound really explosive, and they’ve done a phenomenal job. Rubio, being a young guy, he’s in a great place. He’s been highly impressive.”
On teaching Notre Dame players to avoid targeting penalties
“It’s tough. I think you just have to focus on the strike zone. The chest area right below the chin and really in the torso. You just have to be conscious of not being as high as you might have been back in the day. It’s just one thing you have to be aware of. You’re playing hard, but you have to control it. It’s emphasis of what you’re making contact with. Shoulder pad through sternum as best you can. It’s never going to be perfect, and sometimes it is inevitable. But awareness is really important.”
On Notre Dame freshmen Tyson Ford, Aidan Gobaira and Joshua Burnham
“Coach (Harry) Hiestand and the offensive line are turning them into tough, dependable guys. Two years from now, they’ll be sitting up here. You see the progress. You see the fight. You see the willingness to compete… They’re all progressing, and they’re getting tougher. They’re understanding what it means to be a great teammate. That look you give is really what helps the team and that phase of the ball get ready on Saturday. And they’re buying into that.”
On senior Nana Osafo-Mensah
“That kid every week has gotten better. He just stays steady. Keeps his head down. He’s another guy who is rotating, but he’s always there. He’s working after practice. He’s been a leader. A vocal leader. In the meetings, he’s engaged. And on the field. He’s a great example. He’s one of those dogs. Very competitive.”
On junior Jordan Botelho
“Every week he has to keep improving. You don’t know when it’s going to happen. I don’t know. I’ve been in places where it’s like, next thing, you’re up. So focus on being ready, is what I tell them. It’s about being a great teammate. Making sure everybody is ready. Making sure you’re pushing the guy that’s playing. When your number is called, go out there and compete your tail off. That’s what I tell him. It’s not exact science. Years ago that was kind of the norm. Now it’s a little different. And that’s fine. I think it’s cool if you can find different opportunities. That’s just the challenge of today. Just do your best to try to make sure they’re appreciated and they understand they’re appreciated. Try to help them as best you can.”
