2026 Transfer Portal - General

[Jimmy3Putt]

Young and Williams is going to be Thunder and Lightning.

 

[Dale]

Look at Davison and Hill for Oregon. That could be Walton and Osborne. But you really only need one to hit instantly.

 

[allenm5333]

I honestly believe all numbers being reported for the “cap” are Bs. These kids are gonna get money through revenue share or behind the scenes (happens in nfl too)

 

[IrishInOntario]

Young and Williams is going to be Thunder and Lightning.

One can hope! But that's a huge assumption with Kedron coming back from injury, never having had a chance to prove anything at the college level. ND wants to be a balanced team, whose runs the ball consistently. I think you're taking a outsized risk and a position of value for ND, by not kicking tires with the numerous quality, proven running backs in the Portal, and instead hoping that that your roster depth carries you.

Happy to agree to disagree here! I won't be shocked if ND's RB depth proves to be excellent. I, for one, simply would prefer the insurance of the right player is available at a reasonable price (which for me is in the $500,000 range).

 

[TorontoGold]

Because your budget is combination of Rev Share + NIL... So you can't spend funds you don't have. $6 million is actually a healthy transfer portal budget.

ND football is probably getting about $17 million worth of the entire athletic department's Rev Share room, but that has to service the entire roster, including their top returning internal talent. So if you allocate let's say $4 million of that Rev Share space to 7-8 portal acquisitions, you've actually taken a healthy, large percentage of your total available Rev Share and allocated it to the portal.

The rest of the money has to come from NIL, which means that the players you acquire have to be marketable enough to convince businesses to invest in a relationship with them and the player has to be willing to do what the business is asking in return. For that reason, it's harder to get large NIL deals with companies than people think. There aren't a lot of mid size companies able or willing to put out $500,000-$1,000,000 to help ND buy a rotational defensive tackle. Those big deals go to guys like Jeremiah Love, Leonard Moore or CJ Carr, who are marketable. You can get mid size deals for your second tier star players, but people aren't just throwing out millions of dollars to "no name" players. Especially not at a place like Notre Dame.

In short, a $6 million portal budget is both realistic and really healthy. If the right player were available maybe ND ends up finding a way to up it by $500,000 or $1,000,000, but that relies heavily on another NIL opportunity becoming available or ND making a tough roster choice elsewhere with Rev Share funds.

Saying "double that" is all well and good, but where exactly is the $12 million+ coming from so that ND can buy 8-10 players making $1.0-$1.5 million each? You either know of some huge NIL sponsors that I don't, or you're suggesting that ND lose another 20+ players off it's roster because you've redirected all of the Rev Share money intended for them to transfer portal players. That sounds like a lockeroom nightmare and program stability blunder.

No midsize businesses dole out $500k for promo. You're looking at entities clearing ~$15-25M EBIT, especially for those that are entertaining the thought of using a college football player. If you're dropping that kind of cash you're likely purchasing a "pool" of players and their availability for promo activities, that way you get the name brand but you're also support acquisition. You are effectively layering funds to purchase those rotational players.

The best way for ND (they likely have thought of this or have decided against it) is to have a purchasing group entity setup that essentially raffles or purchases the excess time a player has or player group has. I'm sure based on the brand name, that ND can have spinoff entities setup that are owned or funded by 10-15 entities who pool funds to "sponsor" or fund a position group. I know they've done the BBQ stuff for the lineman, but free pulled pork isn't anything meaningful. You can truly attract midsize business' with $25K in their promo budget to put together a pool of ~375K for a position to fill out for those backend transfers.

Point being, there are a multitude of options that ND can do to have capital raises for funding.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I honestly believe all numbers being reported for the “cap” are Bs. These kids are gonna get money through revenue share or behind the scenes (happens in nfl too)

Of course there are perks and benefits that are given to players. Free housing to use. Zero cost vehicle leases, etc. Those are just the extras. But, again, that is not the story for every kid.

I've heloed send numerous kids to NCAA football programs over the last couple years and I can tell you, definitely, that there is a massive misconception in people thinking that all 85-105 players on a roster are making "big money". Plenty of guys outside of the 2-deep are getting $50,000-$75,000 + a scholarship and the cost of housing covered at programs across the country. A lot of freshman are getting "signing bonuses" from Rev Share as a recruiting tool, but are being advised to save that money because if they don't vault their way into the 2-deep heading into their sophomore year, that $250,000 or $300,000 they got as a freshman, suddenly drops to $50,000 in year 2 (unless they've vaulted into the 2-deep) so that their money can be used to lure the next recruiting class out of high school... That's just the way it's working right now a most places.

 

[IrishInOntario]

No midsize businesses dole out $500k for promo. You're looking at entities clearing ~$15-25M EBIT, especially for those that are entertaining the thought of using a college football player. If you're dropping that kind of cash you're likely purchasing a "pool" of players and their availability for promo activities, that way you get the name brand but you're also support acquisition. You are effectively layering funds to purchase those rotational players.

The best way for ND (they likely have thought of this or have decided against it) is to have a purchasing group entity setup that essentially raffles or purchases the excess time a player has or player group has. I'm sure based on the brand name, that ND can have spinoff entities setup that are owned or funded by 10-15 entities who pool funds to "sponsor" or fund a position group. I know they've done the BBQ stuff for the lineman, but free pulled pork isn't anything meaningful. You can truly attract midsize business' with $25K in their promo budget to put together a pool of ~375K for a position to fill out for those backend transfers.

Point being, there are a multitude of options that ND can do to have capital raises for funding.

I've long said that they should take the entirety of their Under Armour money and work with Under Armour to instead use that money as NIL deals for their players. For example, if Under Armour is giving ND $10 million per year, and ND directs 85% of that money ($8.5 million) towards football, the school should basically say "don't give us the money, instead give the top 85 scholarship players on our roster $100,000 each in NIL contracted funds." I would then take Rev Share and do the same. If ND sets aside $17 million in Rev Share for the football team, I'd guarantee $25,000 in Rev Share to each player in the top 85 each year ($2.125 million total). I would then escalate from there for signing bonuses and to compensate your best players, while setting aside a portion for the Portal as well.

Therefore, each player in the top 85 that completes 4 years at ND would be guaranteed at least $500,000 ($400,000 from UA and $100,000 from ND) and an ND degree. That would go a long way towards roster stability and development, while leaving the funds to allocate towards recruiting, retention of top talent and transfer portal acquisitions.

 

[CoachB]

I've long said that they should take the entirety of their Under Armour money and work with Under Armour to instead use that money as NIL deals for their players. For example, if Under Armour is giving ND $10 million per year, and ND directs 85% of that money ($8.5 million) towards football, the school should basically say "don't give us the money, instead give the top 85 scholarship players on our roster $100,000 each in NIL contracted funds." I would then take Rev Share and do the same. If ND sets aside $17 million in Rev Share for the football team, I'd guarantee $25,000 in Rev Share to each player in the top 85 each year ($2.125 million total). I would then escalate from there for signing bonuses and to compensate your best players, while setting aside a portion for the Portal as well.

Therefore, each player in the top 85 that completes 4 years at ND would be guaranteed at least $500,000 ($400,000 from UA and $100,000 from ND) and an ND degree. That would go a long way towards roster stability and development, while leaving the funds to allocate towards recruiting, retention of top talent and transfer portal acquisitions.

Love it! You're hired.

 

[notredomer23]

Too small to be our JJB?

 

[NDMD]

Too small to be our JJB?

Probably, listed at 6'3" 243 (JJB for reference was ~260) and JJB got regular snaps.

Also looks like this guy was never in the rotation, he's probably transferring somewhere to have a chance at starting.

 

[maxwell]

Probably, listed at 6'3" 243 (JJB for reference was ~260) and JJB got regular snaps.

Also looks like this guy was never in the rotation, he's probably transferring somewhere to have a chance at starting.

I believe he is more or less considered a bust. OSU likely landing spot for Chaz Coleman

 

[allenm5333]

Probably, listed at 6'3" 243 (JJB for reference was ~260) and JJB got regular snaps.

Also looks like this guy was never in the rotation, he's probably transferring somewhere to have a chance at starting.

Should have been a DE from beginning but played LB. Wonder if Al has a tie with him?

 

[IrishInOntario]

I believe he is more or less considered a bust. OSU likely landing spot for Chaz Coleman

If OSU gets both Chaz and Cam Coleman somehow and adds 2 or 3 other pieces as they always do, they'll be right back in thr top 3 favorites for title contention in Julian Sayin's second year starting. They're after some gane wreckers in the portal.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Too small to be our JJB?

He’s leaving OSU? Damn is he going to be expensive.

 

[maxwell]

He’s leaving OSU? Damn is he going to be expensive.

He made 2 tackles this year

 

[NDPhilly]

He’s a stud.

 

[IrishInOntario]

He’s a stud.

Nick Marsh aside, if either Strong or Duff from Rutgers become an option for ND, I'm at least kicking tires with them to see what it would cost. Both would be WR upgrades in ND's top 6.

There has to be a strong backup plan for Nick Marsh, whether he chooses someone else, or the NIL cost becomes too expensive and prices ND out of his market.

 

[Padomer9]

It’s going to be complete mayhem's tomorrow and this weekend isn’t it?

Outside or Marsh, do we know of any other visitors? It seems ND has a pattern for the majority of their transfer additions. They usually have gotten a live scout of them (playing against them) or from the ACC. I know there’s some outliers with Washington (ARK) and Smith (bama). At least with Smith they had the Cincy connection. I’m trying to use that logic when going through the list of portal players on 247sports.

Hopefully they hit it big in the portal. I’m cautiously optimistic that they will.

 

[Dale]

 

[JamIrish]

An experienced safety from Duke who was all ACC last year, got some AA recognition. Is a year removed from an ACL injury though. Someone I'd look into

 

[CanadalovesND]

 

[IrishSpartan]

Mukam in the portal

 

[irishff1014]

Going to get playing time and is leaving. Wow you can’t make this up.

 

[OhioIrish]

Going to get playing time and is leaving. Wow you can’t make this up.

Maybe the staff has indicated to Armel that they are bringing 2-3 DUDES on the DL. That’s my wishful thought, anyway.

 

[TorontoGold]

Going to get playing time and is leaving. Wow you can’t make this up.

He was likely a depth rotational option in his fourth year as a rsJR. Not sure what you’d need to make up to envision him wanting to go transfer out to a Miami OH type program for his final two years.

This is healthy for the program. You plug the rent a player in while giving the developmental snaps to the young guys.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Going to get playing time and is leaving. Wow you can’t make this up.

We also have no idea what ND was prepared to offer him in Rev Share + NIL vs what others on the market are prepared to spend. Gone are the days where you're going to be able to stash many players for 3 years of development. If they're not a significant contributor by the end of their sophomore year, or you're not prepared to pay them handsomely to come back as fairly unproven juniors (Aneyas Williams), you're going to have a hard time retaining them.

Telling a kid that he might get 15-20 snaps per game and you'll give him maybe $100,000 worth of Rev Share and a few token dollars worth of NIL, is not going to impress anyone.

 

[Irishdawg]

We also have no idea what ND was prepared to offer him in Rev Share + NIL vs what others on the market are prepared to spend. Gone are the days where you're going to be able to stash many players for 3 years of development. If they're not a significant contributor by the end of their sophomore year, or you're not prepared pay them handsomely to come back as fairly unproven juniors, you're going to have a hard time retaining them.

Telling a kid that he might get 15-20 snaps per game and you'll give him maybe $100,000 worth of Rev Share and a few token dollars worth of NIL, is not going to impress anyone.

Fun to recklessly speculate but this is my take as well. Have faith, let the portal process play out.

 

[irishff1014]

We also have no idea what ND was prepared to offer him in Rev Share + NIL vs what others on the market are prepared to spend. Gone are the days where you're going to be able to stash many players for 3 years of development. If they're not a significant contributor by the end of their sophomore year, or you're not prepared to pay them handsomely to come back as fairly unproven juniors (Aneyas Williams), you're going to have a hard time retaining them.

Telling a kid that he might get 15-20 snaps per game and you'll give him maybe $100,000 worth of Rev Share and a few token dollars worth of NIL, is not going to impress anyone.

Plays 15-20 snaps makes 100k, on national tv, free travel all over the place. Shit he has it made.

Theses guys that have to get a real job because they aren’t good enough for the NFL are going to be in for a rude awakening.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Plays 15-20 snaps makes 100k, on national tv, free travel all over the place. Shit he has it made.

Theses guys that have to get a real job because they aren’t good enough for the NFL are going to be in for a rude awakening.

I wrote this response to another poster, but I'll repeat it for you...

This is going to happen a lot. DT's are at a premium because there are soooo many bad ones around college football and most of the bad to average teams don't have access to the quality ones in recruiting out of high school. What's easy to forget is that while ND is trying to poach "Big fish" from smaller schools, smaller schools that have money to spend are looking to upgrade their rosters by buying your depth guys that are an upgrade for them.

Would it shock you if I told you that a mid tier ACC or MAC schools might have offered him something like $300,000 for 2026 to play a prominent role on their DL? ND might have said something like "we'd love you to stay for half of that, and likely far fewer reps". Can't really blame the kid for taking the better offer if his primary goal is maximize his income and get a chance to put reps on film for the NFL and he isn't primarily concerned about trying to win a College Natty.

 

[RudyVerse]

We now need a minimum of 4 DTs unless Onye is back.