SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore offensive lineman Charles Jagusah, junior running back Gi’Bran Payne and sophomore defensive lineman Boubacar Traore have been selected to the 2025 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Pre-Season Watch List.
Jagusah saw action in three games during the 2024 season after recovering from a preseason injury. He started for Notre Dame against Ohio State in the National Championship, and saw action in the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl victories. He suffered a preseason injury ahead of the 2025 season.
He was part of an offensive line that helped Notre Dame’s rushing offense rank No. 4 among the Power 4 in yards per carry (5.66), ranking No. 7 among all FBS teams. The Irish ranked No. 6 among Power 4 teams in rushing offense (210.8). With 45 rushing touchdowns, the Irish led all Power 4 teams and ranked third among all FBS programs in rushing touchdowns.
Payne helps make up one of college football’s deepest running back rooms entering 2025. He was sidelined by an injury prior to the 2024 season, and returned to play for the 2025 spring game. On his career, Payne has rushed 47 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns, adding nine receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns. In the spring Blue-Gold game, Payne rushed nine times for 30 yards.
Traore played in five games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury in the Sept. 28 game vs. Louisville. Following Week Four of the 2024 season, Traore led all FBS freshmen in sacks (3.0) and sacks per game (0.75). He had tallied five tackles for loss and added two quarterback hurries, in addition to a pick-six.
Traore made his breakout in the 66-7 win at Purdue, Purdue’s largest defeat in program history. His day was highlighted by a 34-yard pick six in the second quarter, as he also added two TFL (loss of twelve yards) with a sack (loss of nine yards) on the day, in addition to a quarterback hurry. The sack, the additional tackle for loss and the quarterback hurry all were third-down stops by Traore.
The next week vs. Miami (OH), he started his first-career game and delivered a career performance in the 28-3 win, totaling two sacks (loss of 15 yards), a forced fumble, five tackles and a quarterback hurry. His five tackles and two sacks both marked career-highs. Traore tied for the team lead in tackles in the game.