Irish coaches weigh portal targets, prioritizing receiver impact and tight end depth amidst roster development.
We are still a couple of weeks away from the transfer portal officially opening for Notre Dame and the rest of college football, but the Irish staff is certainly already working on putting its board together. That board will be determined by roster needs and also what's available. Notre Dame has different needs this portal season, but the Irish are also entering a very different portal process thanks to the new revenue share rules.
The needs in the portal will change should the Irish suffer a high number of departures, or if there are key departures. If Notre Dame can retain the majority of its offensive roster the needs in the portal will be very, very few. Notre Dame has a talented roster, so right now retention and development are more important than portal additions.
1) WIDE RECEIVER
Need: Medium to High
This is the most obvious position for Notre Dame to pursue in the portal, and it's been the most consistent position the staff has addressed in recent seasons. If Jaden Greathouse returns for 2026 then the need is really only one receiver. My hope is that the staff chooses to focus on developing the young talent they have on the roster more than taking the "easier" path and bringing in more developed talent. Making developing young talents like Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert, Kaydon Finley and Elijah Burress this winter and spring is far more important to me than the portal.
Having said that, the staff must look in the portal for a player with proven impact potential. A Malachi Fields type of player would still add a great deal of value to the offense. Perhaps a player like Nick Marsh of Michigan State could be that kind of player, and more wideouts will announce their decisions to enter the portal in the coming weeks.
2) TIGHT END
Need: Medium to Low
There are some questions at tight end thanks to the departure of starter Eli Raridon and the injury that Cooper Flanagan is still working his way back from. Ty Washington was a key rotation player this season, but that's primarily what his role needs to be, that of a complementary depth player. He can help, but I don't know that he's "the guy" in an offense like this. Flanagan's injury makes his upside in 2026 a question mark. Flanagan can be a strong blocker, but the injury that cost him all but one game in 2025 raises the question of whether or not he can be the top dog in the offense. Redshirt sophomore Jack Larsen has great hands and has pass catching potential, and if he can make a step as a run blocker he could help the offense in 2026.
The keys to whether or not Notre Dame goes to the portal is how the staff views redshirt freshman James Flanigan and incoming freshmen Ian Premer and Preston Fryzel. This trio is very, very talented, but will the staff be willing to focus on development of these talented young players or will they take the easier path of bringing in someone already developed. If there's a proven impact player I think the staff would be wise to make a run, but outside of that developing the young talent is absolutely a top priority.
3) QUARTERBACK
Need: Medium to Low
After wide receiver the rest of the needs on offense are more about depth. That's especially true at quarterback, where CJ Carr is the entrenched star and a rising star. Kenny Minchey and Anthony Rezac have both entered the portal, so the depth behind Carr is a question mark. Redshirt freshman Blake Hebert and incoming freshman Noah Grubbs are talented players, but they are young and have no experience. Notre Dame is also trying to get talented 2027 commit Teddy Jarrard to reclassify and enroll during the summer. Even if Jarrard enrolls early the depth will be incredibly young. I could see benefit for Notre Dame looking in the portal for a veteran quarterback who is willing to come and be a backup to Carr, provide insurance in case of injury and provide mentorship to the young quarterbacks.
4) RUNNING BACK
Need: Low
Losing Jeremiyah Love and possibly Jadarian Price is a crushing loss, but Notre Dame has a talented backfield returning. Rising junior Aneyas Williams averaged 9.3 yards per carry this season and has made big plays in big games. He's been a playmaker since he arrived at Notre Dame but was obviously overshadowed by the stars above him. If he chooses to stay at Notre Dame he'll get his shot to become "the man" in the Notre Dame offense. Classmate Kedren Young was poised to earn a key role in 2025 before suffering a knee injury. He's expected to be ready to go for the 2026 season, but can the staff trust he'll be able to step into an important role this season? That will have an impact on the staff's decisions at this position. Redshirt freshman Nolan James Jr. is a talented dual-threat player as well and the spring will give him a chance to make a move up the depth chart.
Notre Dame also welcomes talented freshmen Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton this winter. No, there isn't much proven production here outside of Williams, but this is still an extremely talented group of backs. If everyone is projected to be healthy and everyone stays I don't think a running back is needed. The returners have a lot of talent and the incoming freshmen are both studs. This is still a very, very stocked position group.
5) OFFENSIVE LINE
Need: Low
Notre Dame currently has 22 scholarship offensive linemen projected to be on the roster in 2026, so adding players is highly, highly unlikely. The bigger question is how many players do they lose up front. Based on the rumors I've heard about the asking price for top offensive linemen in the portal this upcoming season I would be shocked if Notre Dame went and got a player from it, even if they lose a starter or two.
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