2026 Transfer Portal - General

NDFAN2008

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I imagine Burgess will move to tackle in time. The questions, to my mind, are when will the move occur, and what will he weigh then.
Agree I think Burgess is on track to be an inside guy, we really missed out not pursuing Bailey this offseason
 

Katzenboyer

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I imagine Burgess will move to tackle in time. The questions, to my mind, are when will the move occur, and what will he weigh then.

Jamie at ISD has been banging the drum since fall camp that Burgess should (and most likely will) stay at DE. IIRC, he said he was the most physically impressive DE he had seen since he began covering the Irish.
 

SportsingHard

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Jamie at ISD has been banging the drum since fall camp that Burgess should (and most likely will) stay at DE. IIRC, he said he was the most physically impressive DE he had seen since he began covering the Irish.
Maybe that's accurate. Seems safe to say he'll eventually be used on the interior on passing downs, but I don't see any reason he can't be a run-stuffing DE.
 

NDMatt91

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On a recent II podcast, the topic came up of what opponent on the remaining schedule should ND look hard at for transfers. John Brice suggested that ND should look at Pitt, but he said it in a way that sounded like he had inside information. He mentioned that they have some quality players on the DL. Their 2 most productive DT's, Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James, are redshirt juniors and would be grad transfers, and both have been named to at least 1 week on the ALL-ACC PFF team.
 

arndtjc

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On a recent II podcast, the topic came up of what opponent on the remaining schedule should ND look hard at for transfers. John Brice suggested that ND should look at Pitt, but he said it in a way that sounded like he had inside information. He mentioned that they have some quality players on the DL. Their 2 most productive DT's, Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James, are redshirt juniors and would be grad transfers, and both have been named to at least 1 week on the ALL-ACC PFF team.

IMG_0650.gif

2008 right now
 

NDMatt91

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The issue is with the Covid year going away, it's looking like a VERY weak grad transfer market at DT. I've looked at pretty much every team's depth chart and I only marked down 3 that I would consider to be quality/decent players. The 2 Pitt guys and Alex VanSumeren from Michigan State. They'll probably need 3 DT's from the portal, but they'll need Admissions to allow them to take 2 undergrads. Hinish and Hughes will be in their last year of eligibility and you need some guys with multiple years left.

The II crew said last year that Admissions is much more flexible regarding undergrad transfers who aren't just transferring after their true freshman season from ACC and Big Ten schools. I have no inside knowledge, but one guy I expect them to look into is Nick Marsh, WR from Michigan State. He and Carr both came out of Michigan in the 2024 class and I believe they're friendly, as they both follow each other on Instagram.
 
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NDFAN2008

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The issue is with the Covid year going away, it's looking like a VERY weak grad transfer market at DT. I've looked at pretty much every team's depth chart and I only marked down 3 that I would consider to be quality/decent players. The 2 Pitt guys and Alex VanSumeren from Michigan State. They'll probably need 3 DT's from the portal, but they'll need Admissions to allow them to take 2 undergrads. Hinish and Hughes will be in their last year of eligibility and you need some guys with multiple years left.

The II crew said last year that Admissions is much more flexible regarding undergrad transfers who aren't just transferring after their true freshman season from ACC and Big Ten schools. I have no inside knowledge, but one guy I expect them to look into is Nick Marsh, WR from Michigan State. He and Carr both came out of Michigan in the 2024 class and I believe they're friendly, as they both follow each other on Instagram.
Nick Marsh would benefit big time if he came here.
 

allenm5333

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On a recent II podcast, the topic came up of what opponent on the remaining schedule should ND look hard at for transfers. John Brice suggested that ND should look at Pitt, but he said it in a way that sounded like he had inside information. He mentioned that they have some quality players on the DL. Their 2 most productive DT's, Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James, are redshirt juniors and would be grad transfers, and both have been named to at least 1 week on the ALL-ACC PFF team.
Similar tone to ii talking up Fields lol
 

HouseofPain

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Not sure why ND would target players on some of the worst teams in D1 play. Why wouldn’t you spend the money going after players from proven schools who are used to playing in quality competition?
 

Dale

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Not sure why ND would target players on some of the worst teams in D1 play. Why wouldn’t you spend the money going after players from proven schools who are used to playing in quality competition?

I think you’ll naturally find pillaging Ohio State’s roster for transfers to be more difficult
 

Dale

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ND has done this basically every year in that most transfers have some sort of connection to the program. HS recruiting, previous coaching stops, first person evaluation via opponent etc

Transfers don’t just come out of the blue.

Leonard - opponent
Oben - opponent
Mitchell - brother of recruit
Heard - Northwestern
Jeter - opponent
Collins - opponent, former recruit
Clark - NFL father
Harrison - opponent

Washington - Denbrock recruit
Hughes - opponent
Dawson - opponent
Fields - opponent
Smith - recruit, Cincinnati native
Pauling - Cincinnati/Wisconsin staff crossover
Burnette - UNC
Stroman - actually don’t know?
 
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NDMatt91

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Not sure why ND would target players on some of the worst teams in D1 play. Why wouldn’t you spend the money going after players from proven schools who are used to playing in quality competition?
Michigan State, for example, isn't good, but Nick Marsh is a solid WR. He was a top 200 recruit with a ND offer, and he has panned out. He has 2 years of eligibility left and looks like an NFL player, so ND would be foolish not to entice him to hit the portal. Whether or not Admissions lets him in is a another question, though.
 

NDFAN2008

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Do we take Keon Keeley this time around? The last two cycles he has wanted to transfer here? Would have two years left is 6'5 282?
 

NDMatt91

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Do we take Keon Keeley this time around? The last two cycles he has wanted to transfer here? Would have two years left is 6'5 282?
I wouldn't. The fact that he has gotten very little playing time in 3 years is alarming. He has been a huge bust to this point. If they go for a DE in the portal, the guy I'd go after is Wesley Williams from Duke.
 

NDFAN2008

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Do we take Keon Keeley this time around? The last two cycles he has wanted to transfer here? Would have two years left is 6'5
I wouldn't. The fact that he has gotten very little playing time in 3 years is alarming. He has been a huge bust to this point. If they go for a DE in the portal, the guy I'd go after is Wesley Williams from Duke.
I'd go after Quincy Rhodes Jr or Anthony Smith from Minnesota
 
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