SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore defensive lineman Boubacar Traore has been selected to the October 2025 College Football Comeback Player of the Year Watch List. He was previously named to the award’s preseason watch list in August, and has earned his place to remain on the updated watch list.
Traore has taken the 2025 season by storm, totaling 6.5 sacks through seven games, and ranks eighth among all FBS players in sacks per game. This season, he has started every game for Notre Dame and has totaled 27 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
He was named a Comeback Player of the Year Award Comeback Player of the Month for September.
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.
As a freshman, 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.