This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #17 Jordan Botelho, Defensive End

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will, once again, take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2021 season.

#17 Jordan Botelho, DL

The recruiting game evolves day in and day out, but Irish eyes have been on Hawaii for several years now. Sophomore Jordan Botelho came to Notre Dame in 2020 as a four-star recruit and the number one player from Hawaii according to both 247sports and Rivals. He chose the Irish over a heavy handful of offers from all over the country, which included national powers Georgia, Ohio State, and Oklahoma — as well as rival USC.

ACC Media

In Irish victories over South Florida, Florida State, Louisville, and Clemson this past season, Botelho claimed one tackle each. In the South Florida game, in particular, Botelho returned a blocked punt for a TD and was the only FBS player to get a punt return touchdown during that week in the season.

The Restaurant That Fits

Going with Taco Bell on this one. You say you can’t trust it because you just don’t know what you’re getting. However, you always give it that second chance.

2021 Outlook

Repeated violations of COVID-19 protocol led coaching staff to send Botelho home, so the coming season has to be about discipline for Botelho if he wants to emerge as an impact player. He has the speed and he has the reactivity, and now he has regained the trust of the coaching staff. A turning point came in the form of one-on-one time with defensive line coach Mike Elston and a second chance in August.

On Botelho, Elston said, “He’s not on any lists of bad decisions and he’s taking care of his business off the field in schoolwork… You know, he’s not a finished product yet, but definitely the maturity is showing through and I’m super proud of him and I love him for it.

Jordan figures to be a big part of the defensive line as a Vyper — likely sharing reps with Isaiah Foskey. There’s a physical edge to having Botelho on the field, and with a “more free” defense via Marcus Freeman, Irish fans will probably enjoy Jordan flying around out there.

Follow me on Twitter.