After three seasons looking for a position, it’s now or never for senior Anthony Rabasa. After bouncing around Bob Diaco’s system, Rabasa has a chance to simplify his thought process, playing defensive end for Brian VanGorder.
There’s no better depth chart for a player like Rabasa. With little experience behind Ishaq Williams and Romeo Okwara, Rabasa has every opportunity you could ask for as a seldom-used senior finally presented a window to play.
Let’s take a closer look at the Miami native.
ANTHONY RABASA
6'2.5" 250 lbs.
Senior, No. 56
RECRUITING PROFILE
A three-star prospect, Rabasa was a Top 150 player per ESPN and also played in the USA vs. The World game. Rabasa had offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU and Miami, but committed to the Irish before his senior season.
Even as a recruit, Rabasa was a bit of a tweener, not the same size or length of other defensive ends Notre Dame targeted, even though that’s where he played in high school.
“Anthony Rabasa, a big skill player for us, linebacker. Big skill,” Kelly said on Signing Day. “Another young man that we believe, when you look at his film, his motor, his ability to go every snap really was what we loved about him... You see him with his hand down quite a bit. He’s a guy that can obviously stand up for us as well and gives us great flexibility. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger.”
PLAYING CAREER
Freshman Season (2011): Did not see action.
Sophomore Season (2012): Appeared in two games, seeing playing time against Boston College and Wake Forest. Collected loan tackle against Wake Forest.
Junior Season (2013): Played in five games, making a total of six tackles on the season. Made three tackles against Air Force, including one TFL.
UPSIDE POTENTIAL
Rabasa has bounced between inside and outside linebacker positions, trying to find the right fit in the Notre Dame defense. He’s done that now, and we’ll see if it’s too little, too late for the senior who clearly had some impressive opportunities in front of him when he chose Notre Dame.
We haven’t seen anything from Rabasa that points to a breakout season ahead, but he did look the part of complementary piece during spring drills, when we saw No. 56 make a play or two on UND.com’s practice videos.
One of the few undersized players recruited by Kelly and Diaco, Rabasa hasn’t turned into the player many hoped when the big-time Florida prep star chose Notre Dame.
CRYSTAL BALL
Realistically, Rabasa is facing an uphill challenge as he tries to work his way into the two-deep, with young talented freshmen ready to get their shot at playing. But VanGorder spoke candidly about looking past previous results and starting fresh when deciding who will play in 2014. And if Rabasa can provide a situational spark getting after the passer, he’ll have every chance to do it in VanGorder’s sub-heavy packages.
Physically, four years in Paul Longo’s strength system should give Rabasa a head start. But if Rabasa doesn’t find his niche this season, he’ll likely see his career at Notre Dame end after 2014.
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