After enrolling early for the spring, defensive end Andrew Trumbetti nearly became Notre Dame’s first ever true freshman starter at the position. He didn’t do it, with the Irish defensive staff choosing junior Romeo Okwara to run with the first team. But it’s worth putting that quick ascent into context, the young defensive lineman both quick out of the gate and one of the only options at a position that needed reloading.
Trumbetti’s solid performance as a freshman has some believing he’ll be ready to make a jump in 2015. While the depth chart remains virtually untouched, Trumbetti will likely team again with Okwara, both necessary pieces to a pass rushing puzzle that still needs to be solved.