2026 ND Portal Targets

[Crazy Balki]

Also, WR is just not that relevant relative to DT. There are only like ~10 quality DTs in the portal and we need two. If you get those guys and whiff on WR, fine. If you get WRs but whiff on DT, not fine.

My concern with Marsh and the kicker is really about process. We seem to have been used as a stalking horse for both. Like they got bids from ND, said all the right things about being interested, and then poof. The kicker in particular seems to have just been using ND to get a raise and stay put. We can't have the same thing repeat itself with the other guys who might be truly critical components.

I'll be real, I just don't see the issue with the process from a ND perspective. Again, your entire premise is based on the notion that Marsh wanted to visit this weekend, and ND told him to wait and THAT is what sent him to IU. In all reality, IU was going to be the leader and were willing to offer big money, because they have a lot of room to work with, considering much of their team is gone after this season and unlike ND, they don't have a top 2 class to pay.

I think it's as simple as Marsh and Williams thought ND was a good destination, but saw better opportunities all around at their actual destinations. For Williams, he can start at corner, rather than nickel. For Marsh, you play for a great coach in an offense that has produced excellent QB and WR play over the past 2 seasons from portal guys like him.

These results don't have to be the byproduct of some form of ND process ineptitude.

 

[NDWarrior]

Good recap of what transpired this first TP weekend.

Notre Dame Football transfer portal roundup after a wild weekend

 

[allenm5333]

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

Saw him actually score a td (one on that slip option we ran 300 times with Raridon). WANT

 

[arrowryan]

Big day today

 

[Irish#1]

They are telling kids to commit or they are moving on and that they have the Peach Bowl to prepare for.

Seriously.

Absolutely. That's why I mentioned they're having them call. "Bird in the hand" scenario.

 

[notredomer23]

Big day today

Yes, but you won’t hear anything until at least tomorrow if not Wednesday

 

[stlnd01]

Man, the sheets are a mess this morning.

Look, it sucks to lose Marsh but it is what it is. Let's see how things go in the next couple days. If you believe that first visit is a very good sign in portal recruiting, we look to be in very good position with the top DT in the portal (who went to Georgetown as a freshman and then Wake, so guessing admissions won't be a big thing), and this very large human from UCF. Nail down those two and Foley, and go get the WR from Rutgers and we are so back.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Need commitments from 2 of the DTs currently schedule to visit today and tomorrow

 

[Irish#1]

Okay and?

IU desperately needs talent from the portal to fill its roster. They aren’t moving on from Marsh if he takes 2 days to visit ND.

One would think you could counter that to a kid with, “If you’re really as good as they say you are, you have a spot at any of these schools.”

I tend to believe the story floated earlier from some inside scoops, Marsh probably had a good idea he was already going there + had some work to do for ND.

Good point, but I do wonder if ND would pursue if that was the case?

 

[stpeteirish]

Yes, but you won’t hear anything until at least tomorrow if not Wednesday

Not necessarily, some guys may just want to get it over with and commit. But If they stay three days and don’t commit I’d wonder what the hell we’re doing.

 

[stlnd01]

Good point, but I do wonder if ND would pursue if that was the case?

Presumably it wasn't insurmountable work (summer classes?). But if he didn't want to put it in, that wasn't going to be an issue at Indiana.

 

[Irish#1]

Yes, but you won’t hear anything until at least tomorrow if not Wednesday

More wet sheets coming up.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Yes, but you won’t hear anything until at least tomorrow if not Wednesday

Why?

 

[arrowryan]

Yes, but you won’t hear anything until at least tomorrow if not Wednesday

Because they are multi day visits?

 

[Crazy Balki]

Big day today

Nah. Tomorrow is the big day.

Basically everybody is coming in today, but the visit doesn't really start until tomorrow.

 

[notredomer23]

Why?

They are multiday visits. Let’s look at IU’s weekend as an example as they are the only team that got a bunch of commits. Zero came on Saturday. All Sunday. Same with high school recruiting. Very very rarely do you hear about a player that commits the first day of his OV.

Can we get good news today? Sure, but I’d put it as unlikely. But I’d think it’ll start coming tomorrow.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

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.

Fucked Around. Found Out.

 

[FU BK]

Fucked Around. Found Out.

He was annoying as shit on ignore....everyone still going off on him

 

[The Backer]

Is there a visit schedule somewhere?

 

[stlnd01]

Is there a visit schedule somewhere?

Not certain how official/reliable but there's a basic rundown about halfway through this article here.

 

[The Backer]

Not certain how official/reliable but there's a basic rundown about halfway through this article here.

Awesome. Looks like

Tuesday — Penn State DT Xavier Gilliam
Monday — Central Florida DT Horace Lockett
Tuesday — Michigan State DE Jalen Thompson
Monday — Wake Forest DT Mateen Igirogba
Monday — Iowa State WR Xavier Townsend
This week — Rutgers WR Ian Strong
Monday — Tulsa TE Brody Foley

If we pulled Foley, Strong, and 2 DTs from that group we would have nothing much to complain about.

 

[WildMan1]

Last thing I'll say -- they appear to have totally misread the signals they were getting from some of these guys and need to completely review their process for 2027 and forward. This isn't some protracted process, it's strike-while-the-iron-is-hot musical chairs. The way Indiana approached the portal versus how ND did is jarring. As long as they figure it out at DT and kicker then we can turn down the panic meter but to be crystal clear -- if they whiff at those two positions then the 2026 season is probably cooked. All other positions it's "nice to have" not "need to have."

This is where I’ve been at the past week. DT is by far and away the priority here & If we were going to over pay it’s got to be on a duo type like Ibirogba & Gilliam (my ideal pair).

Just lock them up.. whatever it takes..

Because that’s the ONLY spot where there is a drought ON the team AND in the portal.

We’ll get a competent kicker.. There’s a nickel out there.. There’s WRs out there. And we also have bodies on the roster in those positions.

But like Lax said.. we swing & miss on DL & we’re fucked. We’re barely 1 deep in the middle of the line.

 

[stlnd01]

Awesome. Looks like

Tuesday — Penn State DT Xavier Gilliam
Monday — Central Florida DT Horace Lockett
Tuesday — Michigan State DE Jalen Thompson
Monday — Wake Forest DT Mateen Igirogba
Monday — Iowa State WR Xavier Townsend
This week — Rutgers WR Ian Strong
Monday — Tulsa TE Brody Foley

If we pulled Foley, Strong, and 2 DTs from that group we would have nothing much to complain about.

Completely agree, but I'm sure we'd find something.

 

[WildMan1]

Side note.. we’ve done a pretty great job with retention & I’m sure that’s cost a pretty penny.

Aside from the NFL draft, Burnham is our biggest loss.. Not that bad if you ask me.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Awesome. Looks like

Tuesday — Penn State DT Xavier Gilliam
Monday — Central Florida DT Horace Lockett
Tuesday — Michigan State DE Jalen Thompson
Monday — Wake Forest DT Mateen Igirogba
Monday — Iowa State WR Xavier Townsend
This week — Rutgers WR Ian Strong
Monday — Tulsa TE Brody Foley

If we pulled Foley, Strong, and 2 DTs from that group we would have nothing much to complain about.

I could complain about no kicker........ I kid....sort of

 

[notredomer23]

Possibly relevant to Mateen Ibirogba

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I trust this regime now understands anything less than a full court press at this point is pissing into the wind.

Whatever the plan was, it has certainly been shredded and replaced with a more aggressive approach.

Hold the line and have faith these guys are gonna take the gloves off and seal the deal with many targets today and tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NDPhilly]

Possibly relevant to Mateen Ibirogba

A few ND staff members were following Butler. He’s a big body but not sure he’s an impact starter. I put him and Horace Lockett in the same category.

 

[arrowryan]

Any update on a kicker?

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Any update on a kicker?

We’re ND, we don’t need no stinking kickers.