SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio was back among his teammates when spring practice resumed Wednesday.
The up-and-coming redshirt junior, who is currently not on the roster, observed early morning training from close range in a T-shirt and shorts. Rubio even flashed a knowing smile as practice was temporarily moved outside amid a few flurries of snow.
“Is that snow?” Rubio asked out loud.
Defensive run game coordinator Al Washington smiled at the mention of Rubio's visit.
“It's great to have Gabe,” Washington said of the 6-foot-5, 306-pounder from St. Louis. “I love him. He's the pillar of our unit. I communicate with him. We're really close.”
Asked if he expected Rubio to be on the football team this spring, Washington nodded.
“He's around,” he said.
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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said on March 7 that he expected Rubio to “be back in the summer.”
Fellow defensive tackle Jason Onye also lit up when asked about Rubio's return after practice.
“He’s moved back home now because we’re roommates,” Onye said. “For me personally, he's my best friend on the D-line. He's a very good guy. He's a great teacher.”
Inexperienced defensive linemen, such as redshirt freshmen Devan Houston and Armel Mukam, gravitate to Rubio for help.
“(Rubio) was teaching Devan and Armel how to use their feet while he was here,” Onye said. “In training, he's teaching me a lot. He's got weight, he's powerful, so just having a guy like that around… we really need him. .”
Rubio played in nine games last season, making 11 tackles and playing 136 defensive snaps. He had a forced fumble at Clemson, as well as a quarterback hit (Stanford) and a pass breakup (USC), despite missing three games due to arthroscopic knee surgery.
Rubio was fit for the home loss against Ohio State, but missed the game against Louisville in early October with a concussion.
“I'm glad he's back,” Onye said. “They gave us advice, they helped us, they gave us guidance. That's fine.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is active on social media @MikeBerardino.
