Three things I like about Notre Dame DT Jason Onye

Three things I like about Notre Dame DT Jason Onye

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Three things I like about Notre Dame DT Jason Onye
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 04: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jason Onye (47) performs a defensive play during the game between the Boise State Broncos and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on October 04, 2025 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We live in a college football world of lists, rankings, and countdowns. Many players on Notre Dame’s roster have been talked about and written about over the last few months — so let’s fall in line.

This will be my official Top 20 Notre Dame Football Players ranking. I will unveil each player, and list the three things I like about them. It seems simple enough, but I have no doubt that some of these ratings will be highly criticized, but you can always share your thoughts in the comments below.

#47 Jason Onye DT

Fills one of Notre Dame’s biggest needs

Notre Dame’s defense could be one of the best in the nation in 2026 — if not THE best. The Irish are stacked in the back seven with a handful of All-American candidates at cornerback, safety, and linebacker. The biggest question mark was along the defensive line, and specifically at defensive tackle. Jason Onye being granted an extra year of eligibility made sure the interior of the Notre Dame defensive line wasn’t going to be a weakness.

Fought back to be back

Jason Onye departed the team midway through the 2024 season for personal reasons. No one needs to know what those personal reasons were, because it really doesn’t matter. Onye dealt with those matters, and got himself back on to the Notre Dame roster for the 2025 season. A lot of people just don’t understand how much of an immense commitment it takes to be a college football player at a school like Notre Dame, and when you’re dealing with something serious in your life like Onye was — it can be crippling. His fight back shows the will of his character which can make him a better player.

1st off the bus

Onye is a physically imposing person. While it may seem a bit odd to have a guy who only has 52 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 4 years ranked this high on the team, stats rarely tell the whole story for interior defensive linemen. The work Onye will put in at defensive tackle this season will genuinely help the rest of the Irish defense do their jobs — which makes him pretty damn important.

TOP 20 COUNTDOWN

#20 DT Francis Brewu
#19 LB Jaylen Sneed
#18 LB Jaiden Ausberry
#17 WR Mylan Graham
#16 CB DJ McKinney
#15 RB Aneyas Williams
#14 OL Anthonie Knapp
#13 DB Christian Gray

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