Rylie

Mills

Haynes, a third-round pick from 2024, was unable to play in the last two preseason games due to an elbow injury. The 25-year-old projects as a backup at this stage, and won’t be able to return until October at the earliest. The Seahawks also placed WR/KR Stephen Sims on IR while placing DE Rylie Mills and NT Jonathan Hankins on NFI (non-football injury list).

The Seahawks dealt Sam Howell and pick No. 172 to the Vikings to move up and take Mills. Mills (6’5"/291) spent five years in South Bend as a gap shooting three-tech, starting 35 games over the last three years as a key cog in Notre Dame’s National Championship runner-up defense led by HC Marcus Freeman. Mills sustained a knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign three games early, but not before he rolled up 8.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks to go with 34 pressures and an 83.1 pass rush grade. Though he’s an able tackler who rarely lets ball carriers escape his grasp, as is evidenced by his sterling 3.4% missed tackle rate, Mills is much more dangerous in the pass game, having posted an elite 14.3 percent pass rush win rate. He has the requisite length and size to be a penetrating 3-4 defensive end who brings the heat on passing downs.

Mills (6'5/275) was expected to commit to the Irish after taking multiple visits to South Bend over the last year or so. What made Notre Dame stick out for Mills was the academic standards and the relationships he built during recruitment. The defensive end is the first Notre Dame 2020 commit for the month of May.

It is believed that Mills will decide by Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Ohio State on Monday evening. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound defender is considered a strong lean towards the Fighting Irish, but, upsets happen. He will be a considerable get for whatever program lands him, as Mills ranks not just as the second best player in the state of Ohio, but the eighth best strong-side defensive end in this class.