2026 Transfer Portal - General

[maxwell]

With how we have recruited the Oline if we have to take a portal transfer and it’s not a too good not to take kind of player than Rudolph should be losing his job.

Broke my brain trying to read this

 

[Me2SouthBend]

With how we have recruited the Oline if we have to take a portal transfer and it’s not a too good not to take kind of player than Rudolph should be losing his job.

Wut?

 

[rikkitikki08]

Not sure where else to put this but Barstool put out a video of John Gruden at the ND/Pitt game and at one point in the video he’s chatting it up Carter and some of the the recruiting staff. Gruden is asking them how they they handle the transfer portal and Carter more or less says freshman or graduate transfers is what they can grab. Pretty interesting he was so open about it. I have no idea how to post videos but it’s a pretty interesting watch

 

[PutuporShutup]

ND does NOT need to go portal for OL next year. If this is wagners last year for whatever reason, i'm confident one of Black/Augustine will start there and be an upgrade.

ND needs one possibly two stud DL if onye is not able to or doesn't return.

ND needs a stud WR (really curious how good we can get with Carr one of the elite passers in the nation and clearly playing time available losing fields)

Possibly a TE unless you think Premer can come in and be ready. I'm confident in Flanigan as an all around TE, and Flanagan as a blocking TE if healthy. Larsen and Washington I don't think are good.

Most likely need a Punter and a Kicker.

Also, probably a nickel corner as either competition or depth with golden.

 

[NDMatt91]

Not sure where else to put this but Barstool put out a video of John Gruden at the ND/Pitt game and at one point in the video he’s chatting it up Carter and some of the the recruiting staff. Gruden is asking them how they they handle the transfer portal and Carter more or less says freshman or graduate transfers is what they can grab. Pretty interesting he was so open about it. I have no idea how to post videos but it’s a pretty interesting watch

He starts talking to the staff around the 8:20 mark. It's stuff we all pretty much knew, but still interesting to hear them talk about it. "It's easier if they are graduates (transfers) or if they're Freshman it's easy. Anything in between is tough." "Riley wasn't a graduate but his Duke credits transferred over."

 

[NDFAN2008]

ND does NOT need to go portal for OL next year. If this is wagners last year for whatever reason, i'm confident one of Black/Augustine will start there and be an upgrade.

ND needs one possibly two stud DL if onye is not able to or doesn't return.

ND needs a stud WR (really curious how good we can get with Carr one of the elite passers in the nation and clearly playing time available losing fields)

Possibly a TE unless you think Premer can come in and be ready. I'm confident in Flanigan as an all around TE, and Flanagan as a blocking TE if healthy. Larsen and Washington I don't think are good.

Most likely need a Punter and a Kicker.

Also, probably a nickel corner as either competition or depth with golden.

If Wagner is gone: Black moves to Left Tackle or Lambert moves to LT most likely, you could also put Jagusah at left tackle as well. Don't forget you'll have 5 spots to fill next year between Knapp, Otting, Absher, Jagusah, Lambert, Black, Ashton Craig, and Bill Schrauth.

 

[NDFAN2008]

ND does NOT need to go portal for OL next year. If this is wagners last year for whatever reason, i'm confident one of Black/Augustine will start there and be an upgrade.

ND needs one possibly two stud DL if onye is not able to or doesn't return.

ND needs a stud WR (really curious how good we can get with Carr one of the elite passers in the nation and clearly playing time available losing fields)

Possibly a TE unless you think Premer can come in and be ready. I'm confident in Flanigan as an all around TE, and Flanagan as a blocking TE if healthy. Larsen and Washington I don't think are good.

Most likely need a Punter and a Kicker.

Also, probably a nickel corner as either competition or depth with golden.

Highly unlikely we take an DB transfer we are loaded there. Return mostly everyone and have a lot of young guys.

 

[allenm5333]

ND does NOT need to go portal for OL next year. If this is wagners last year for whatever reason, i'm confident one of Black/Augustine will start there and be an upgrade.

ND needs one possibly two stud DL if onye is not able to or doesn't return.

ND needs a stud WR (really curious how good we can get with Carr one of the elite passers in the nation and clearly playing time available losing fields)

Possibly a TE unless you think Premer can come in and be ready. I'm confident in Flanigan as an all around TE, and Flanagan as a blocking TE if healthy. Larsen and Washington I don't think are good.

Most likely need a Punter and a Kicker.

Also, probably a nickel corner as either competition or depth with golden.

I 100% agree with this. Could argue a rb depending on injuries and who returns

 

[Dale]

Could see Duce Robinson search for a new home

Griffin Wilde at Northwestern is of the Dakotas lineage not a HS kid who chose Northwestern but he would be heavily sought after he if wants to bounce

Nick Marsh at MSU is everyone’s favorite isn’t it obvious

 

[Dale]

BC WR Reed Harris has a similar story as Malachi Fields but I can’t say he seemed that impressive

 

[spoonidentity]

With how we have recruited the Oline if we have to take a portal transfer and it’s not a too good not to take kind of player than Rudolph should be losing his job.

Wut?

I think he meant:

My good sir, may I express my deepest dissatisfaction in the old bushwhacker pigskin coach in the event that a hereto unknown gentleman is deemed necessary to grace the hallowed formations of Our Lady. I do reserve the contingency to divert my expressions shall an individual deemed worthy of joining the mighty lads enchant us with his good charms.

 

[Irish5Saint]

He starts talking to the staff around the 8:20 mark. It's stuff we all pretty much knew, but still interesting to hear them talk about it. "It's easier if they are graduates (transfers) or if they're Freshman it's easy. Anything in between is tough." "Riley wasn't a graduate but his Duke credits transferred over."

Don’t know who specifically said it there but “with all the online stuff”- other insiders on 247 have said a big thing is that ND is being pretty much unreasonable about taking credits from classes primarily online.

 

[stlnd01]

I 100% agree with this. Could argue a rb depending on injuries and who returns

Since we apparently only play two RBs anyway, I'd rather roll with Williams and one of James or Young. And get the freshmen ready behind them.

Definitely need transfer help at DT, probably a big/outside WR (would be nice to develop one of our own someday). Likewise it would nice to not have to rely on the portal for nickels always, but maybe there. Not sure why we'd need DBs beyond that, or an OL. We have more good OLs than can see the field as it is.

 

[PutuporShutup]

If Wagner is gone: Black moves to Left Tackle or Lambert moves to LT most likely, you could also put Jagusah at left tackle as well. Don't forget you'll have 5 spots to fill next year between Knapp, Otting, Absher, Jagusah, Lambert, Black, Ashton Craig, and Bill Schrauth.

With that group, otting and absher have no chance at starting if the rest are healthy.

I just don't see ND moving Knapp off LT unless he struggles in the playoff (doubt it). They've invested so much in him at LT, and he's improving. Too risky to move him IMO.

If billy returns (not a lock if he plays well in the playoffs), it will be tough to figure out top 5. I could see Knapp, Jagusah, Craig, Lambert, Augustine with Black being next in at 4 of 5 positions. I give Augustine the nod due to him playing and getting reps at RT now while black is getting reps at LG. I think Black is probably close to passing absher right now, and may have if it wasn't for his concussion set back.

 

[allenm5333]

Since we apparently only play two RBs anyway, I'd rather roll with Williams and one of James or Young. And get the freshmen ready behind them.

Definitely need transfer help at DT, probably a big/outside WR (would be nice to develop one of our own someday). Likewise it would nice to not have to rely on the portal for nickels always, but maybe there. Not sure why we'd need DBs beyond that, or an OL. We have more good OLs than can see the field as it is.

If Williams is back and Young healthy are questions.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Highly unlikely we take an DB transfer we are loaded there. Return mostly everyone and have a lot of young guys.

I like Golden and Cree Thomas, i don't think Zackery will ever be it, not bad, but not it (it's early, but I just don't see the high potential like other dbs), same with hobbs. Cree i think has passed hobbs now that he can play and not burn redshirt. I like Cree a lot.

So, you'd have Moore backed up by Cree (he made a great play the PI was BS). Gray backed up by Zackery/Adams. Golden backed up by ? maybe reddish as true frosh. You can't move hobbs back there. Maybe they try out adams as well. Nickel with a soph and frosh is tough spot.

I just don't know if ND wants to go in with the nickel not haven more proven options there when they saw how bad the nickel corner killed ND this year with smith hurt and hobbs not good.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Could see Duce Robinson search for a new home

Griffin Wilde at Northwestern is of the Dakotas lineage not a HS kid who chose Northwestern but he would be heavily sought after he if wants to bounce

Nick Marsh at MSU is everyone’s favorite isn’t it obvious

Nick Marsh is obvious choic, yes, but Duce would be a HUGE option as well.

 

[stlnd01]

If Williams is back and Young healthy are questions.

Discussed at length in his thread but (assuming Price goes) why on earth would Williams leave? Unless he secretly hates it here or something. He'd be RB1 in a great running offense.
Young's health is a question for sure but James looks like a ballplayer, and you have freshmen coming in who you can turn to if needed.

I just think if Seider really only uses two RBs, we have good ones in-house. Don't really need to go the portal unless there's a real upgrade, and those will be rare.

 

[NDMatt91]

Discussed at length in his thread but (assuming Price goes) why on earth would Williams leave? Unless he secretly hates it here or something. He'd be RB1 in a great running offense.
Young's health is a question for sure but James looks like a ballplayer, and you have freshmen coming in who you can turn to if needed.

I just think if Seider really only uses two RBs, we have good ones in-house. Don't really need to go the portal unless there's a real upgrade, and those will be rare.

I agree. Even if they bring in a transfer, Williams would likely start the spring/fall as RB2 and would get plenty of carries.

 

[allenm5333]

Discussed at length in his thread but (assuming Price goes) why on earth would Williams leave? Unless he secretly hates it here or something. He'd be RB1 in a great running offense.
Young's health is a question for sure but James looks like a ballplayer, and you have freshmen coming in who you can turn to if needed.

I just think if Seider really only uses two RBs, we have good ones in-house. Don't really need to go the portal unless there's a real upgrade, and those will be rare.

I understand what you are saying. But young men have emotions! Might want out! I hope he comes back but I don't try to read the mind of sophomores lol

 

[SDIrishFan]

2026 ND Depth Chart:

Here’s an initial shot at next year’s depth chart and what I’d view as needs in the portal. Obviously this is very early and things will change related to rotations, where certain players will fit in, who transfers and who they bring in as transfers. Also, I’ve listed some freshmen but not all.

OFFENSE

QB - 1. Carr
2. Transfer Backup (As much as I wish Kenny would stay, he should go get paid at another P4 location)
3. Hebert
4. Grubbs

RB - 1. Transfer Stud (I don’t see Williams staying b/c ND doesn’t view him as an RB1, just my opinion)
2. James Jr.
3. Young
4. Osborne
5. Walton

WR - X - 1. Transfer WR1 (Fields level or better)
2. Gilbert
3. Williams (I think he plays a bigger role next year, but he still looks raw.)

WR - Z - 1. Faison
2. KK Smith
3. Burress

WR - SL - 1. Greathouse (I think he stays)
2. Saldate
3. One of the Freshmen?

LT - 1. Knapp
2. Black
3. Prescod

LG - 1. Schrauth (Think he stays for one more ride)
2. Terek

C - 1. Craig
2. Otting
3. Herron

RG - 1. Jagusah
2. Absher

RT - 1. Lambert (I think Wagner takes his NFL shot)
2. Augustine

TE - 1. Flanagan
2. Flanigan
3. Washington
4. Larson

DEFENSE

SDE - 1. Young
2. Burnham
3. Burgess

NT - 1. Onye (Think he petitions successfully)
2. Transfer
3. Mullins
4. Sevillano

DT - 1. Stud Transfer
2. Hinish
3. Hughes
4. Mukam

WDE - 1. Traore
2. Thomas
3. Dunham

WLB - 1. KVA
2. Ausberry
3. Faraimo

MLB - 1. Bowen
2. KVA

NB - 1. Golden
2. Pouncey?
3. Hobbs

FS - 1. Johnson
2. Blair
3. O’Brien

SS - 1. Shuler (One more ride)
2. Talich
3. Long

BCB - 1. Moore
2. Thomas

FCB - 1. Gray
2. Zachery
3. Adams


PORTAL NEEDS

1 - Backup QB - this seems like a challenge, but is there a vet that wants to be part of Championship program before moving on?

1 - RB - I don’t think our starting RB is on the current roster, we go find a stud.

1 - WR1 - If there’s a true WR1 out there to compliment our stable of quality WRs, great

2 - DT - I think we need a stud DT and a front line DT equivalent to Dawson

1 - NB - Not sure this is solved yet with Smith moving on.

1 - Place kicker that can stay healthy

 

[arrowryan]

I hope Aneyas Williams can see things through, long term. With how Seider plays his guys, it was going to be tough for him to get snaps. He would have a pretty clear path to RB1 in 2026.

 

[Irishdwarte]

There is nothing to suggest that he would leave or want out. The speculation of him leaving in this thread is made up. No one has reported him being unhappy or saying he was going to leave. I’m sure the kid wants to play more because that’s what all competitors want. He will get his opportunity next year to prove it.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Brice said he heard Williams transferring out is a coin flip at this point. If ND thought he was gone, they wouldn’t trot him out to the media for interviews this week. We have to quit measuring him to J Love/J. Price b/c he’s not those guys but I think he’s good enough to be a 1/1a RB.

Despite all the hype on Nolan James, he looked small against a bad defense. The same defense that williams carved up. Not saying James can’t be a stud but he may not be ready quite yet. Young should be a full go next year but he does carry a lot of weight for a RB so who knows if that slows up his recovery?

Love & Price’s NIL come off the books so I would think they could make a nice offer to Williams. Or at least one that, along w/ the liklihood he’s the #1 guy; would keep him in blue & gold. This is all assuming ND hasn’t been back channeling RB at other programs. I’d still love Williams to come back.

 

[Dale]

If the current room (minus Love and Price) is open to staying I still think a transfer RB is idiotic sans a few names. The one I have side eye on is Isaac Brown.

 

[NDMatt91]

If the current room (minus Love and Price) is open to staying I still think a transfer RB is idiotic sans a few names. The one I have side eye on is Isaac Brown.

ISD and II have mentioned Hollywood Smothers a few times on podcasts over the last month or so. I'm not sure if they truly know something or it's just wishful thinking.

 

[Irish5Saint]

If the current room (minus Love and Price) is open to staying I still think a transfer RB is idiotic sans a few names. The one I have side eye on is Isaac Brown.

Nate Shepphard from Duke is my pick

 

[Dale]

ISD and II have mentioned Hollywood Smothers a few times on podcasts over the last month or so. I'm not sure if they truly know something or it's just wishful thinking.

That would be an example of a waste of money to me.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

If the current room (minus Love and Price) is open to staying I still think a transfer RB is idiotic sans a few names. The one I have side eye on is Isaac Brown.

Nick Singleton because of the obvious connection and his stock has gone down.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Nick Singleton because of the obvious connection and his stock has gone down.

Singleton doesn't have any years left