More
    Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with player after a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium.
    Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with player after a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
    Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with player after a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium.
    Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with player after a touchdown against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

    Notre Dame Transfer Portal News: Top 5 Players the Irish Should Target in 2026 Ft. Justice Haynes

    Notre Dame was very close to making it to the College Football Playoffs this year, with Marcus Freeman even generating some buzz as several NFL teams are courting him right now, even though he has said he wants to stick with the Fighting Irish. So far, Freeman has not had much success in the transfer portal, only netting four recruits.

    To remedy this, the coach must dip more into the transfer portal, but which ones should he target? For now, some of the biggest names have already been taken, but there are still a lot of players that have not been snatched up yet and that he is free to take (as of writing).

    PFSN 2026-2027 CFB Playoff Predictor
    Play out the entire college football season with PFSN's CFB Playoff Predictor to see what it means for conference standings and the CFB playoffs!

    5 Transfer Portal Players That Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame Must Target

    WR Mylan Graham

    A four-star sophomore from Ohio State, he did not get much playing time at Ohio State, a school stacked with a lot of elite players. Considered elite himself, he showed a lot of promise in high school but never really got to stand out at Ohio State. As he is still a sophomore, the Irish have plenty of time to develop him into a great player.

    Edge Damon Wilson II

    A junior EDGE from Missouri, he is ranked No. 6 in the transfer portal by On3 and is one of the highest-rated defenders in the portal. Freeman would need more defenders like him for next season, especially as Notre Dame is seeking to improve upon their near-miss of the CFP for next season.

    RB Justice Haynes

    Undoubtedly one of the most-coveted running backs that are currently unsigned in the transfer portal, Justice Haynes is an elite junior running back from Michigan who could be a good complement for quarterback CJ Carr, with him being able to boost the Irish’s offense next season.

    TE Vander Ploog

    A freshman tight end from the Oregon Ducks, he is considered a four-star transfer who did not get many opportunities in the stacked Oregon Ducks roster. He could become a promising new target for QB1 CJ Carr in the passing game.

    OL Joe Brunner

    This four-star transferee is a redshirt junior who has the size and the weight to bully defenses to protect the quarterback. He is also very athletic for his size, making him a very good target for the Irish.

    Read more:

    Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors: Insider Claims Notre Dame HC’s Future Still Not Decided As Multiple Teams In Pursuit

    Ole Miss Transfer Portal: Pete Golding’s Rebels Land Five-Star QB After CFP Semifinal Loss

    “Clear MVP Of The Peach Bowl”: Fans Swoon Over Fernando Mendoza’s Aunt Amid Indiana’s Blowout Win

    College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college footballmen’s college basketballwomen’s college basketball, and college baseball!

    Related Articles

    More CFB From CSN