2026 Transfer Portal - General

[NDPhilly]

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.

Feel like they usually don’t say a name unless they’ve actually heard something.

If Kedron didn’t get hurt I’d be anti RB transfer. As it is now I could take it or leave it. I think Aneyas has shown improved burst this year and generally think Nolan can be very effective as well. Also one of Javian / Walton are going to break into the rotation in some capacity bc they both are more physically gifted than Aneyas / Nolan.

 

[stlnd01]

The QB is a conundrum. Maybe there's some academically-viable freshman out there who'd be an upgrade on what we've got, and who'd be willing to sit behind Carr for a year. But we can't really take most sophomores and juniors, and transferring in to be a backup is a big ask for a GT.

 

[irishu]

Hearing that ND is talking to Ewers behind closed doors

 

[Dale]

Feel like they usually don’t say a name unless they’ve actually heard something.

Tbh I don’t think the beat has any intel on transfers on November 25th. Certainly not the II crew without Loy. This time last year it was QB wish casting and guys like Ayomanor and Mosley getting tossed out. Brice would say things like transfers of the Southeastern variety like most CFB teams aren’t located in the Southeast.

 

[ozzman]

Hearing that ND is talking to Ewers behind closed doors

No. Klubnick

 

[allenm5333]

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.

Him speaking after practice seems like a good sign

 

[BoredIrish]

I would rather get a sophmore QB than a GT. I think CJ is gone after next year, so the transfer would have one year to learn from CJ as a backup and then would be the favorite to start. Realistically, ND is going to need a transfer QB in 2027 anyways till Teddy G is ready.

 

[stlnd01]

Tbh I don’t think the beat has any intel on transfers on November 25th. Certainly not the II crew without Loy. This time last year it was QB wish casting and guys like Ayomanor and Mosley getting tossed out. Brice would say things like transfers of the Southeastern variety like most CFB teams aren’t located in the Southeast.

Ha. Did we even get any "transfers of the Southeastern variety" this year? Louisville, Arkansas and Virginia are borderline Southeast at best.

 

[2013Irish]

Ha. Did we even get any "transfers of the Southeastern variety" this year? Louisville, Arkansas and Virginia are borderline Southeast at best.

Smith was a Bama guy.

 

[irishu]

Smith was a Bama guy.

And Ty Washington was a hog

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I would rather get a sophmore QB than a GT. I think CJ is gone after next year, so the transfer would have one year to learn from CJ as a backup and then would be the favorite to start. Realistically, ND is going to need a transfer QB in 2027 anyways till Teddy G is ready.

CJ is here four years.
The draft is going to be loaded in 27 with qb prospects after Simpson, Manning, and Moore stay.

 

[arndtjc]

CJ is here four years.
The draft is going to be loaded in 27 with qb prospects after Simpson, Manning, and Moore stay.

Drake Maye in his draft year: 63.3% 3608 yards 24 TDs, 9 INTs (full disclosure he had about 450 rushing yards and 9 TD as well)
CJ Carr this year: 67% 2536 yards 22 TDs, 6 INTs on close to 200 less attempts.

If Carr has similar completion % and bumps up over 30 TDs next year, he's going to be a 1st round draft pick in the spring of '27

 

[Irish du Nord]

Ha. Did we even get any "transfers of the Southeastern variety" this year? Louisville, Arkansas and Virginia are borderline Southeast at best.

Devonta Smith

 

[stlnd01]

Devonta Smith

Oh, right.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Drake Maye in his draft year: 63.3% 3608 yards 24 TDs, 9 INTs (full disclosure he had about 450 rushing yards and 9 TD as well)
CJ Carr this year: 67% 2536 yards 22 TDs, 6 INTs on close to 200 less attempts.

If Carr has similar completion % and bumps up over 30 TDs next year, he's going to be a 1st round draft pick in the spring of '27

The difference between going top 2 and 20 is about 30 million. Carr will stay another year and be the top dog.

 

[NDPhilly]

I would bet significant cash Carr is gone after 26. He’d be a first round pick this year if he could go.

 

[allenm5333]

I would bet significant cash Carr is gone after 26. He’d be a first round pick this year if he could go.

It is said every year, but next year's QB draft could be loaded loaded. Will be curious how QB rankings develop

 

[allenm5333]

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

ISD was pretty adamant Schrauth will be gone. I think your portal needs is solid. I also heard the 5 for 5 ruling could be coming in December...could that impact Eli?

 

[IA4irish]

Hearing that ND is talking to Ewers behind closed doors

It’s funny now, but Bowden almost screwed this season up royally with that

 

[Bane]

CJ is here four years.
The draft is going to be loaded in 27 with qb prospects after Simpson, Manning, and Moore stay.

CJ will end up a better prospect than maybe any of those guys. If he has a season that builds on this one next year he's gone. The 2024 draft taught us QBs will go higher than they should because teams are desperate. CJ could be pick 1/1. Unless he regresses, I wouldn't anticipate him back after next season.

 

[NDPhilly]

CJ will end up a better prospect than maybe any of those guys. If he has a season that builds on this one next year he's gone. The 2024 draft taught us QBs will go higher than they should because teams are desperate. CJ could be pick 1/1. Unless he regresses, I wouldn't anticipate him back after next season.

This is why they need to go all in on 2026. You very likely have a top 5 pick at QB, and not a project like an Anthony Richardson, a true proven guy at the college level.

They should aim to break the bank and not care about some starters feelings. Almost all of the defense is returning + the most of the OL + a star QB. The time is now. And with Sayin + Simpson / Moore maybe returning its not going to get easier in 26.

 

[arndtjc]

The difference between going top 2 and 20 is about 30 million. Carr will stay another year and be the top dog.

If you are a first round draft pick, you do not return to college. It's pretty simple

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

If you are a first round draft pick, you do not return to college. It's pretty simple

No use arguing. We shall all see.
Please bookmark this to call me out next year when he leaves.

 

[BeatSC]

So has Laune run out of eligibility since no one has mentioned his name once. He looks pretty good out there and has caught passes and blocks too. Why no Love for Payne? Payne could use some Love.

 

[TorontoGold]

So has Laune run out of eligibility since no one has mentioned his name once. He looks pretty good out there and has caught passes and blocks too. Why no Love for Payne? Payne could use some Love.

I think I had a stroke reading this. I thought Laune could be Payne, but you mentioned Payne.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

So has Laune run out of eligibility since no one has mentioned his name once. He looks pretty good out there and has caught passes and blocks too. Why no Love for Payne? Payne could use some Love.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I think I had a stroke reading this. I thought Laune could be Payne, but you mentioned Payne.

It amazes me when people can't take 5 seconds to proofread before posting.

 

[Plankton]

It amazes me when people can't take 5 seconds to proofread before posting.

The keyboard was drunk, not me.....

 

[IrishJacks]

Marsh officially in the portal

 

[Dale]