If you were watching Notre Dame football in September 2024, you saw it. That specific, violent twitch off the edge. Boubacar Traore didn't just fill a gap when Jordan Botelho went down; he basically detonated the backfield. Then, the knee gave out. A torn ACL against Louisville felt like the air leaving a balloon for the Irish pass rush.
But football has a funny way of rewarding the guys who just keep showing up.
Most fans see the box score and see a "sophomore defensive end." They see the 6-foot-4 frame and the 250-pound build. What they miss is the journey from West Roxbury to South Bend, a path paved with enough "what-ifs" to break most athletes.
Honest truth? Traore might be the best pure pass rusher Marcus Freeman has ever coached.
The Comeback That Defined the 2025 Season
When the 2025 season kicked off, everyone was talking about the transfer portal and the new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash. People sorta forgot about the kid with the #5 jersey who spent his winter in the training room.
He didn't stay forgotten for long.
By the time October rolled around, Traore was a semifinalist for the College Football Comeback Player of the Year. It wasn't just that he was back; he was better.
Look at the numbers from his 2025 campaign:
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- 37 total tackles.
- 11.0 tackles for loss (TFL).
- 7.5 sacks across 11 games.
- A forced fumble that literally flipped the momentum in the Syracuse game.
He was averaging a tackle for loss every single game. In a sport where "consistency" is a buzzword coaches use to describe guys they don't trust, Traore was the real deal. He was the anchor.
Why Boubacar Traore at Notre Dame is Different
You’ve got to understand the family lineage here to get why he plays the way he does. His brother, Badara Traore, was an offensive lineman for LSU and even spent time with the Arizona Cardinals.
Boubacar isn't just a "physical specimen." He grew up going against NFL-sized talent in his own house.
He’s a Muslim athlete who has played through games during Ramadan without so much as a drop of water. Think about that. You're 250 pounds, it's 80 degrees, and you're chasing a dual-threat quarterback for four quarters on an empty stomach. That’s not just talent. That’s a different kind of mental toughness that you can't teach in a weight room.
The Recruiting Flip Nobody Talked About
Early on, Traore was a Boston College commit. It made sense. Stay home. Play for the local team.
But when Notre Dame came calling, it wasn't just about the brand. It was about the fit. He saw a defense that prioritized "Vyper" ends—guys who could stand up, put a hand in the dirt, and basically cause chaos.
Rivals and On3 had him ranked as a four-star, but honestly, his ranking would have been top-50 nationally if he hadn't missed most of his senior high school season with a broken leg. The "injury prone" label started to stick.
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The Decision to Stay for 2026
January 2026 was a tense month in South Bend. With stars like Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price declaring for the NFL Draft, the Irish faithful were holding their breath.
Then came the news on Thursday, January 15th.
Boubacar Traore isn't going anywhere.
He didn't file the paperwork. Despite scouts pegging him as a Day 2 lock—somewhere in the second or third round—he decided to return for his redshirt junior season.
"I like for my play to speak for me," Traore once told reporters.
By staying, he’s basically betting on himself to become a first-round pick in 2027. And with Keon Keeley and Francis Brewu joining the rotation, Traore won't have to face double-teams on every snap.
Breaking Down the Film: What Makes Him Elite?
If you watch the 2024 Purdue game, you see the ceiling. The 34-yard pick-six. The strip-sack.
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He has this "ghost" move where he dips his shoulder so low the offensive tackle literally punches air. Most ends his size are "long-arm" guys—they use their reach to keep blockers away. Traore is different because he has the flexibility of a much smaller player.
Why the 2026 Season Could Be Historic
Notre Dame’s defense under Chris Ash has shifted. It’s more aggressive. It’s faster.
Traore is the tip of that spear. Having a veteran leader who has survived a torn ACL and a broken leg gives that locker room a certain edge.
He’s not just a pass rusher anymore; he’s a vocal leader. He admitted he used to be the quiet guy, but during the 2025 stretch, you could see him coaching up the freshmen on the sidelines.
Actionable Insights for Irish Fans
If you're following the Irish this coming fall, keep an eye on these three things regarding Traore:
- Snap Counts: Watch how the coaching staff uses him in early-down run support versus obvious passing downs. His growth as a run defender in 2025 was massive.
- The Keeley Factor: With 5-star talent on the other side, Traore will likely see more one-on-one matchups. Expect his sack numbers to potentially hit double digits.
- The Draft Stock: If he stays healthy, he's a Heisman-dark-horse-level impact player for the defense. He is chasing the "First Team All-American" status that eluded him last year.
The narrative around Boubacar Traore at Notre Dame has finally shifted from "what could have been" to "what is." He isn't the kid coming off an injury anymore. He is the veteran everyone else is trying to block.
Good luck with that.
Next Steps for Followers:
Track his official spring practice stats once the media sessions begin in March. Pay close attention to his listed weight; if he cracks 260 pounds without losing his burst, he becomes unblockable. You should also watch the 2025 season highlights against Syracuse and NC State to see exactly how he sets the edge against Power 5 tackles.