The transfer portal is on and it’s time for Notre Dame players to decide to stick with Marcus Freeman or head elsewhere for better opportunities. Freeman & Co. also need some tinkering to do on how they are going to address weaknesses on their roster that played a part in their playoff-less season.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were controversially snubbed out of the College Football Playoff. They were ranked higher than Miami in the last-second CFP rankings, but in the final rankings, they were snubbed, with some arguing it might be to have one ACC representation.
Let’s take a look at the full list of players set to leave Freeman’s squad.
Notre Dame Transfer Portal Tracker: Departures
10 Notre Dame players are planning to or have already entered the transfer portal. Two of them have already found a place to go.
- KK Smith (WR)
- Karson Hobbs (CB)
- Cree Thomas (CB)
- Leo Scheidler (WR)
- Armel Mukam (DL)
- Ben Minich (S)
- Joshua Burnham (DL)
- Preston Zinter (LB/DL)
- Kenny Minchey (QB, Transferred and flipped commitment from Nebraska to Kentucky for 2026.)
- Gi’Bran Payne (RB, Committed to Cincinnati)
Smith caught for 123 yards and just two touchdowns as he struggled to get a consistent role within the setup. Hobbs was part of the starting unit early in the season but eventually faded away, earning limited defensive snaps. With strong competition in Notre Dame’s secondary, Thomas is looking for more consistent opportunities. Mukam played all games but was unable to establish a significant role. Burnham’s role wasn’t as significant as it had been in past years.
After missing the 2024 season with an ACL injury and playing mostly on special teams in 2025, Payne opted to head to Cincinnati so that he could be closer to home.
Notre Dame Transfer Portal Tracker: Arrivals
According to On3’s tracker portal, Notre Dame hasn’t received any commitments from any of the transfer portal players. However, that may not remain the case and we’ll update whenever an update on the same comes along.
The Fighting Irish are one of the top football programs in the nation. The next few days, Freeman will be busy attracting recruits and ask them to play in South Bend.
Read More News:
LSU Football Transfer Portal: Lane Kiffin Starts Tigers’ Roster Rebuild With Top Defensive Prospect
Top 5 Oregon Players Who Entered Transfer Portal Ahead of Peach Bowl Showdown Ft. Jayden Limar
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