Notre Dame Football: 3 instant impact signees from 2020 class

This third one was tough. The defense was the obvious choice here because they regressed defensively last season. True enough, they lost NFL level talent on the defensive side of the ball and that is difficult for any team to overcome.

Isaiah Pryor was initially the first choice to make this list, but Notre Dame looks to be pretty loaded at safety even wit losing Alohi Gillman and Jalen Elliot this season to graduation. Pryor will have an impact on the secondary and see significant snaps — he’s too good not to — but defensive line was their primary weakness this past season and Rylie Mills has an opportunity to play a lot this season.

Two things immediately jump out when you put on his highlight film. First, he’s good with his hands for someone graduating high school. Second, he has an explosive first step. He’ll have to get stronger to play at a high level in college, but they will get him in the weight room in South Bend.

This is a recruit that shows Notre Dame’s commitment to developing from the inside-out. They are building along the trenches. The Irish have recruited heavily in that area for the last couple of years.  Mills fits the mold of what Notre Dame wants upfront. He will fit right in.

The Irish are losing three defensive ends from their rotation and that will give Mills a chance to get snaps right away and make an immediate impact on the defensive front.