Howard Cross III

They still got to prove they're better than that.

The nose, let's say Armel Mukum, best since Howard Cross.

I mean, again, there's a lot the D-line's got to prove.

Linebacker, Drake Bowen, he's the best middle linebacker since...

But, you know, both, Duke dodged a bullet.

Yeah, I still remember the guy that landed on his a- uh, Howard Cross was, I believe, the Notre Dame defensive tackle, and if, if anybody needs that bit of trivia.

Yeah, no, I don't, ever.

Um, defensive line, I'm curious to know what your grade is with the defensive line.

They had some guys beat up.

This isn't the old days anymore of Notre Dame relying on Howard Cross and Riley Mills to be out there sixty snaps a game.

Now you've got three deep in there that you can continue to rotate and stay fresh, and it proved to be pivotal.

I mean, all those guys, Francis Bru, um, Tion Gray, Armel Mukam, uh, you know, Onyea when he was out there, they all did well.

They had some guys beat up.

This isn't the old days anymore of Notre Dame relying on Howard Cross and Riley Mills to be-

That's right

... out there 60 snaps a game.

But, man, Brew just looked like...

It is an absolute difference maker when you have a guy, and we saw it with Howard Cross when he was like healthy and really like, man, you can't block this guy one-on-one inside as an interior pass rusher.

Yeah.

And the problem was that he was fantastic in 2023, but then he was hurt for most of 2024.

Kentrell Bullock, Sean Clifford, glad they brought him back.

Howard Cross III, Isaiah Foskey, really happy they brought him back.

Joe Giles Harris, Shaka Hayward, Braylon Lux, glad he's on the practice squad.

Kendall Milton, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, what a really good preseason.

I can't remember if he got signed to the 53-man roster.

I know Howard Cross didn't.

So, yeah.

That'd be where it would be for me.

So Jason Ademolola, defensive tackle.

Howard Cross, nose guard.

Marvin Tagovailoa-Mosa, defensive end.

Isaiah Foskey.