Notre Dame 99-to-0: No. 90 Boubacar Traore, incoming freshman defensive end, four-star recuirt

Listed measurements: 6-foot-4, 254 pounds 2023-24 year, eligibility: An incoming freshman, Traore has all four seasons of eligibility remaining. Depth Chart: To quote the penciled depth chart this space put together following spring practices, “No idea which end he should go to, just getting him on the depth chart [at Vyper end].” Traore is likely to be so far from playing time in 2023 that assigning him to either Vype or “Big” end would be merely an exercise in semantics. Recruiting: Notre Dame began chasing Traore while he was committed to Boston College, and it did not take long for the Massachusetts native to forget about his six-month pledge to the Eagles when the Irish offered. The No. 24 strongside defensive end in the class of 2023, per rivals.com, and a consensus four-star prospect, Traore also received an offer from Michigan, but he never wavered once he joined Notre Dame’s class.

QUOTES Sometimes coaches unintentionally shed light on how confusing the recruiting industry can be. Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden gave a slight insight into that in December when discussing Traore’s weight. Rivals.com lists the lengthy prospect at 254 pounds, but one would assume the Notre Dame coaching staff had a more accurate number in its files as it evaluated Traore.

“They all have a chance to compete early, and that’s going to be important, obviously, for depth,” Golden said. “[Traore’s] length, rangy, probably in that 240 (-pound) range right now. At some point here we’ll get him up to (255-260), I’m sure.”

The difference is much more than 15 pounds. It is time. If at 240 pounds, Traore will need to spend a year or so adding 15 pounds the right way. If he is already well into the 250s, then a couple