The Notre Dame football team has built one of the nation’s top defenses in recent years under defensive coordinator Al Golden. His success led to an offer from the Cincinnati Bengals for their defensive coordinator role, which he accepted.
To replace Golden, head coach Marcus Freeman hired Chris Ash, who brings significant experience as a coordinator. Ash previously served as co-defensive coordinator for the 2014 national champion Ohio State Buckeyes under Urban Meyer.
Ash will take over a defense with many returning key players, but there are some gaps to fill, particularly on the defensive line. Howard Cross and Rylie Mills, who occupied the two interior defensive line spots in recent years, have moved on, with Cross going to the NFL and Mills departing for other opportunities. Cross battled injuries last season but still managed to perform at a solid level, while Mills’ absence was felt during the playoff run, especially in the game against Ohio State.
To fill these roles, Gabriel Rubio is expected to step in as a starter in 2025. Rubio, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 315 pounds, filled in for Mills at the end of last season and is ready to take on a larger role. Jason Onye, who missed most of the 2024 season due to personal reasons, will return for 2025. Onye is also a large presence at 6-foot-5 and 291 pounds. Donovan Hinish, who saw significant playing time last year, will also be back in the mix. Additionally, Notre Dame added Jared Dawson from the transfer portal. Dawson, who has extensive playing experience at Louisville, will provide added depth to the defensive line.