Al Washington breaks down depth of Notre Dame's Viper position

The evolution of football has created all kinds of hybrid positions. One of the more recent ones on the defensive side of the football is the Viper position. The Viper is a hybrid linebacker defensive lineman; for Notre Dame, it is an integral position on their defense. Following the Fighting Irish Blue-Gold spring game, D-line coach Al Washington broke down the three likely candidates to feature at the position in 2023.

“Obviously, Jordan (Botelho) is the most experienced, and he’s a leader of sorts in that position from his experience. And he’s done a great job. But Junior (Tuihalamaka) and Joshua (Burnham); man, those guys, they’re good players,” said Washington. “So, you take Josh, for example; he’s a Viper, but he could play end. And then, when you factor in third down, whose to say all three of those guys can’t be on the field at the same time? So I think that’s how we have to be creative about it. But they’re all going to play.

“The one thing we try to preach and promote is depth. To play at a high level, you need to have more than one wave; in the course of the game (and) the course of a season. Otherwise, you break down.”

Washington and Notre Dame have three more than capable individuals of running the Viper position. And given that the Fighting Irish are constantly a threat to win the national championship, it is essential that they have prepared more than one individual to slide into that spot. Unfortunately for opposing offenses, it could be a nightmare for them if Washington figures out how to get all three on the field at the same time.

Notre Dame D-line coach Al Washington on Onye’s production

“A year ago, where he was to now, he’s taken off. And really credited him because I think there was a point where he really could have gone the other way. He could have pulled away, (or) made excuses,” said Washington.

“I remember like it was yesterday; it was in the fall. He had a moment. He wasn’t happy (that) he wasn’t playing. And you know, we get those conversations. But he made a decision, and to his credit, he stuck to it, and now he’s kind of breaking through. He still has a lot to work on; he’d be the first to tell you. But the thing about Jason that’s redeeming is he loves football. That is what makes him special on top of the talent; his love helped him endure all those tough moments.”

The soon-to-be sophomore from North Providence, RI, saw action in just one game last season. That was a 44-0 route of Boston College towards the end of this season. Onye recorded just two tackles in the game, both of them assisted tackles.

This season Onye is expected to play a much bigger role in the fighting Irish’s defensive game plan. As Washington put it, the team is counting on him to give his best every time he touches the field.