2026 ND Portal Targets

[NDPhilly]

ND’s “pitch” (4 for 40, spirituality, molding the whole person, etc…) is just overall better for HS kids. Transfers are almost all essentially mercenaries focused on $$$ and playing time. Most of the “elite” kids worth pursuing are pretty singularly focused on getting to the league and getting paid, they could give a shit about the degree.

More than other programs were going to have to continue to crush it with HS Recruiting and player development. You can’t expect a Cam Coleman to sit in classes all day when he could be taking mindless online classes while at the athletic facility (that’s assuming a kid like him even gets in).

 

[rtrn2glory]

I wonder if the decision but to have visits this weekend has something to do with make sure partridge was on campus for the visits. Granted who knows if he'll even be officially a part of the staff by the next few days

 

[CanadalovesND]

I wonder if the decision but to have visits this weekend has something to do with make sure partridge was on campus for the visits. Granted who knows if he'll even be officially a part of the staff by the next few days

That would only apply to the DL if that was the case.

 

[IrishTusker]

I wonder if the decision but to have visits this weekend has something to do with make sure partridge was on campus for the visits. Granted who knows if he'll even be officially a part of the staff by the next few days

That's great, but (1) the recruits presumably know he's coming in and (2) he isn't going to be recruiting WRs

 

[rtrn2glory]

Probably right

 

[Dale]

Marsh knew IU was his destination. Williams didn't want to play nickel in favor of playing corner.

Why didn’t you say that before they committed elsewhere then?

I think USC and IU said big numbers and said then first. If ND hosted them, could both schools have still won with bigger rebuttals? Sure. But it’s not the same.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Why didn’t you say that before they committed elsewhere then?

I think USC and IU said big numbers and said then first. If ND hosted them, could both schools have still won with bigger rebuttals? Sure. But it’s not the same.

This assumes that ND had the opportunity to host first. That's what I'm saying.

This outrage seems entirely based on the idea that ND could've hosted Marsh first and chose to have him wait, which seems extremely unlikely.

 

[Dale]

This outrage seems entirely based on the idea that ND could've hosted Marsh first and chose to have him wait, which seems extremely unlikely.

I’m not outraged by anything. I think ND will land a comparable WR. But clearly they chose not to host visitors this weekend, guys commit after visits. Thus you’ve eliminated 3 possible days of commitments. That’s a fact.

 

[stlnd01]

ND’s “pitch” (4 for 40, spirituality, molding the whole person, etc…) is just overall better for HS kids. Transfers are almost all essentially mercenaries focused on $$$ and playing time. Most of the “elite” kids worth pursuing are pretty singularly focused on getting to the league and getting paid, they could give a shit about the degree.

More than other programs were going to have to continue to crush it with HS Recruiting and player development. You can’t expect a Cam Coleman to sit in classes all day when he could be taking mindless online classes while at the athletic facility (that’s assuming a kid like him even gets in).

Yes but being a developmental program will, in the long run, benefit us.
You need 50 legit players, at least, to win in big-time college football. You can't hire 50 legit players (who are mostly year-to-year mercenaries) through the portal, but you can grow them through recruiting and development, and then bring in the last six or eight for a year to round out your roster. Also with recruited/developed multi-year guys, you know what you have, in a way you just don't through the portal.
I know Indiana and its portal approach is the current hot shit but big-picture you're better off being Ohio State or Georgia, or Notre Dame. What we're building is a lot more sustainable.

 

[KizerRolls]

This really feels like the first year ND won’t land the majority of their top targets and hit a grand slam in the portal. In previous years it feels like guys were on board with ND before even taking other visits (Hartman, Leonard, Fields, possibly Devonta Smith??). Mostly ACC guys. Getting ahead of things should have been an advantage given the snub. I wouldn’t anticipate money being the issue. Bowden, albeit a complete shitbag, must be a master tamperer.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I completely believe that. Freeman has said on countless occasions that if you're choosing ND because of the money, then you're not choosing ND for the right reasons. His entire program, why the NFL is interested in him, is because of his ability to build a sustainable culture. Having guys show up only because of the money would go a long way to destroying the very culture that he has built.

Every ND fan has heard Freeman say that but when it comes to recruiting players in the transfer portal that point of view goes in one ear & directly out the other.

That freeman culture that has the entire defensive staff and players not bought in all fall camp and early in the season? Costing us a realistic chance at winning a championship. That culture that’s failed 3 of 4 seasons?

The only culture freeman has going right now is adversity and back against the wall after ND gets upset, sometimes badly.

 

[stlnd01]

That freeman culture that has the entire defensive staff and players not bought in all fall camp and early in the season? Costing us a realistic chance at winning a championship. That culture that’s failed 3 of 4 seasons?

The only culture freeman has going right now is adversity and back against the wall after ND gets upset, sometimes badly.

Are you actually a Notre Dame fan? I do wonder sometimes. You say you played for a Big Ten school, are you talking endless shit on their boards too?

 

[Ocjae]

I don’t have any proof. I believe Marsh is a top 50 talent (NFL draft wise). I was hoping ND would get aggressive and land an Alpha for Carr. It can still happen, obviously.

I don’t think I’ve been negative towards the program. I think they’re in a great spot!

Are we entirely sure that
Greathouse can’t be that? Currently no firm proof, but seeing him in person at the national championship game last year I’m not sure there was a better player on the field despite the result. Still holding out hope for him and has continued development with a legit QB.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Are you actually a Notre Dame fan? I do wonder sometimes. You say you played for a Big Ten school, are you talking endless shit on their boards too?

I could be mistaken but I have a good source that says he is actually Christian Grays former coach.

 

[sfk324]

I could be mistaken but I have a good source that says he is actually Christian Grays former coach.

He's Stan to Christian Gray's Eminem. Just eternally butter that Gray ignored all his DMs begging to be besties.

 

[IrishInOntario]

This really feels like the first year ND won’t land the majority of their top targets and hit a grand slam in the portal. In previous years it feels like guys were on board with ND before even taking other visits (Hartman, Leonard, Fields, possibly Devonta Smith??). Mostly ACC guys. Getting ahead of things should have been an advantage given the snub. I wouldn’t anticipate money being the issue. Bowden, albeit a complete shitbag, must be a master tamperer.

Grand slam, maybe not... But what about a home run or a triple, to compliment the best recruiting class they've signed in 20+ years?

I think when you look at Portal + recruiting collectively, you'd be hard pressed to find many teams that will wind up doing better than ND in the 2026 cycle.

Relative to their current roster I think ND winds up with upgrades at the following positions relative to their 2-deep vs what they had returning....

Ian Strong > Micah Gilbert
Brody Foley > Cooper Flanagan
Mateen Igbirogba > Armel Mukam
Xavier Gilliam or Alex V > Elijah Hughes
Portal Kicker > Erik Schmidt
Portal QB > Blake Hebert
Joey O'Brien > Ethan Long
Khary Adams > Cree Thomas
Portal WR > Logan Saldate

Add to this group tbe inevitable 1 or 2 surprises.

There are 46 2-deep players on a football roster if you count offense, defense and the starters at Kicker and Punter. Through recruiting and Portal additions I could see upgrading as many as 10 of those 2-deep potions in this cycle. That's approximately 22% of the 2-deep upgraded from what it was otherwise set to be. When you're talking about a team that returns a lot of NFL talent, that's pretty awesome!

 

[Kingbish01]

I'm definitely disappointed that the "revenge tour" looks like this so far. Lotta time left I guess....

With that said, I never in a million years would have thought that when ND finally got it going they have to worry about Indiana. Sure, we beat them last year. But ever since it kinda feels like we've been getting bodied by them. Beating a final 4 team in Oregon, winning B10 by beating OSU and then killing Bama and now winning portal battles....ugh.... Indiana is gonna be a problem as long as Cig is there, whether you all want to believe it or not.

 

[DCK_1981]

I'm definitely disappointed that the "revenge tour" looks like this so far. Lotta time left I guess....

With that said, I never in a million years would have thought that when ND finally got it going they have to worry about Indiana. Sure, we beat them last year. But ever since it kinda feels like we've been getting bodied by them. Beating a final 4 team in Oregon, winning B10 by beating OSU and then killing Bama and now winning portal battles....ugh.... Indiana is gonna be a problem as long as Cig is there, whether you all want to believe it or not.

WE haven’t gotten bodied by them in anything except Nick Marsh. Yes they are more successful than us this year and I guess you can argue they won the Heisman over Love but I really think saying they’re “bodying” ND is a stretch

 

[ACamp1900]

Good times

 

[Kingbish01]

WE haven’t gotten bodied by them in anything except Nick Marsh. Yes they are more successful than us this year and I guess you can argue they won the Heisman over Love but I really think saying they’re “bodying” ND is a stretch

I mean bodied in terms of two great programs at the moment. We've lost both our tough matchups this year, they have not. They won the conference by beating a team that ND just can't ever beat. Their guy won the Heisman, then the Rose bowl domination...and now in the portal (Coogan/Burnham). Also gotta mention the coach...Cig is 25-2 and immediately came out and signed and extension and put all PSU talk to rest. We got to hear about Freeman linked to every opening while he stayed silent.

That's all I meant, they feel like the premier program in Indiana at least this year. Would you argue that??

 

[Irish#1]

What the helly is going on in here

There’s a lot of dicks getting laid out on the table.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I’m not outraged by anything. I think ND will land a comparable WR. But clearly they chose not to host visitors this weekend, guys commit after visits. Thus you’ve eliminated 3 possible days of commitments. That’s a fact.

Again, that's predicated on the idea that Marsh and Williams wanted to visit this weekend and were told to wait.

This isn't a one-way street. Players have their own set schedule.

 

[NDPhilly]

FYI - this kid is an absolute stud and we are in a great position. He’s a NFL talent.

 

[calvegas04]

Hope we can get him on campus before he commits to IU

 

[Irish#1]

That sounds like he settled on IU in advance, then, and would only go elsewhere for more money.

I’m guessing IU wanted him to commit on the spot. When he said he had visits, they suggested he call the other schools and see if they would match. If not he can save everyone’s time and sign.

Given the excitement of the day, he probably doesn’t stop to really realize that this strategy would be off putting to the other schools and they would basically tell him no thanks or they would be happy to discuss when on campus. At that point IU is probably playing the "bird in the hand" pitch.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I’m

The sense I got was that ND really liked Marsh, really wanted him to be Irish, but not at the number he got from IU.

My guy also mentioned that some of the upfront demands for a lot of these kids are insane right now, especially along the DL. First round draft pick money. Again, not making excuses for the staff (although I have full confidence they have a plan and will execute it), but if you like but don't love a player, and they want $4M+, I can see why they'd pass.

seems like you’d have to be really really careful about not destroying the chemistry by overpaying for transfers and underpaying hs recruits. Sure, for a starting qb open up the vault, but going to be bad juju when one rotational d lineman rolls up to spring ball in a Bentley.

 

[Irishdawg]

FYI - this kid is an absolute stud and we are in a great position. He’s a NFL talent.

Tyler Warren 2.0, even lined up at QB in the red zone!!

 

[GrangerIrish24]

There’s a lot of dicks getting laid out on the table.

Obviously a coffee table.

 

[IrishInOntario]

FYI - this kid is an absolute stud and we are in a great position. He’s a NFL talent.

Yep! Absolutely better than Raridon was in terms of on field production. He's 6'6, 260lbs and does not have any holes in his game.

 

[arrowryan]

Yep! Absolutely better than Raridon was in terms of on field production.

Foley had the touchdowns. Receptions and yards weren’t that different though. I’ve never watch Tulsa or Foley, so idk how he was used in the offense.