2026 ND Portal Targets

[arrowryan]

Sampson said if ND wanted to spend $2 million on Ibirogba they could have

I’d rather have the 2 they got than Ibirogba

 

[Irish5Saint]

Sampson said if ND wanted to spend $2 million on Ibirogba they could have

For reference, the Athletic article said the elite DTs are getting like $1.5 million. So the “Lubbock” tax just took this to a unpalatable number

He also mentioned ND outbid OSU for both their WRs

 

[Crazy Balki]

I’d rather have the 2 they got than Ibirogba

Yep. I mean, I'd gladly take all three and just throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

But something tells me that's unrealistic. You getting Ibirogba probably lowers your chance to get Brewu and Gray. And I'd take Brewu over Ibirogba in a second. Not that I think Ibirogba is bad, but I think Brewu is going to be special.

 

[NDMatt91]

Sampson was told by people around OSU that OSU was more upset to lose Porter than Graham. OSU wanted to keep both of them but they were outbid by ND.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Sampson was told by people around OSU that OSU was more upset to lose Porter than Graham. OSU wanted to keep both of them but they were outbid by ND.

 

[greyhammer90]

Sampson was told by people around OSU that OSU was more upset to lose Porter than Graham. OSU wanted to keep both of them but they were outbid by ND.

Good to know. They really fought for Graham so it's good to hear they felt just as strongly about Porter.

 

[Irish Man3]

Maybe I missed it, but anyone know the backstory on Tione? Roberts hinted at someone entering the portal from the Big 10 a few weeks back, so he definitely knew this was in the works.

Gilliam is who Roberts was referencing, not Gray

 

[dublinirish]

OSU isnt getting their Epstein money anymore?

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Gilliam is who Roberts was referencing, not Gray

I thought Gilliam was in the portal the entire time. He was saying it was someone he wasn't sure would enter, but maybe my timing is off.

 

[jprue24]

When was the last time ND had a DT that size? Louis Nix?

Rubio is the closest at 6'5" 315, the Terry, then Tuitt

 

[BoredIrish]

Not to be ungrateful... but wasnt there a rumor of ND going after a return specialist? Anyone know where he ended up?

FWIW I'm excited to see Bubba and Brayden Robinson at returner this year.... among many others like Golden and OBrien.

 

[Irish Man3]

I thought Gilliam was in the portal the entire time. He was saying it was someone he wasn't sure would enter, but maybe my timing is off.

You could be right, I just know Gilliam was a kid that was “under the radar” and not initially someone ND was involved with publicly. I believe he later clarified that it was him but maybe I’m mistaken.

 

[RudyVerse]

Not to be ungrateful... but wasnt there a rumor of ND going after a return specialist? Anyone know where he ended up?

FWIW I'm excited to see Bubba and Brayden Robinson at returner this year.... among many others like Golden and OBrien.

I hope Mylan Graham returns punts. Would imagine one of the freshman RBs has a good shot to return kicks. A good way to get them acclimated and keep happy.

 

[allenm5333]

Not to be ungrateful... but wasnt there a rumor of ND going after a return specialist? Anyone know where he ended up?

FWIW I'm excited to see Bubba and Brayden Robinson at returner this year.... among many others like Golden and OBrien.

Some thought townshend or whatever from iowa state was that guy. But we didn’t push apparently

 

[rtrn2glory]

Yeah as many guys that we've brought in the past two cycles I've seen returning kicks on their highlights I gotta think at least one of them pan out returning punts and kicks

 

[IrishInOntario]

John Brice reported that OSU's athletic department was $30 million in the red last year, despite winning a national championship. Word on the street is that Ryan Day told Ross Bjork (AD) that it would cost approximately $45 million to keep a top roster at OSU this year. Rumor has it that the number they were ultimately approved to spend was closer to $35 million, as the school looks to balance the athletic department budget better heading into the 2026 fiscal year. Hence the money related transfer losses.

It makes sense that ND outbid Ohio State. Quincy Porter was making around $400K as a freshman and requested a raise to approximately $1 million this year and Ohio State said "no". Rumor has it that Mylan Graham was in a similar situation. Notre Dame apparently offered Nick Marsh approximately $2 million to come to ND, so they had earmarked that kind of money for a wide receiver. It wouldn't surprise me if ND essentially took the money they were willing to spend on Marsh (or something close to it) and split it between Porter and Graham, meeting the request that Ohio State could not.

This is why you have to be careful and manage your budget appropriately. Jeremiah Smith is the best WR in football, but the dude is is making in the neighborhood of $4-$4.5 million per year. When your Rev Shsre + NIL benefit is $35'ish million, that could be upwards if 13% of your budget on a single player... With 105 man roster limits, you're going to lose a ton because you'll simply run out of money. The math does not math. You can't afford to pay a pair of backups (Porter and Graham) 9-figures not to start. It's financial malpractice when your budget is as tight as OSU's is.

 

[WilliamWallace]

John Brice reported that OSU's athletic department was $30 million in the red last year, despite winning a national championship. Word on the street is that Ryan Day told Ross Bjork (AD) that it would cost approximately $45 million to keep a top roster at OSU this year. Rumor has it that the number they were ultimately approved to spend was closer to $35 million, as the school looks to balance the athletic department budget better heading into the 2026 fiscal year. Hence the money related transfer losses.

It makes sense that ND outbid Ohio State. Quincy Porter was making around $400K as a freshman and requested a raise to approximately $1 million this year and Ohio State said "no". Rumor has it that Mylan Graham was in a similar situation. Notre Dame apparently offered Nick Marsh approximately $2 million to come to ND, so they had earmarked that kind of money for a wide receiver. It wouldn't surprise me if ND essentially took the money they were willing to spend on Marsh (or something close to it) and split it between Porter and Graham, meeting the request that Ohio State could not.

This is why you have to be careful and manage your budget appropriately. Jeremiah Smith is the best WR in football, but the dude is is making in the neighborhood of $4-$4.5 million per year. When your Rev Shsre + NIL benefit is $35'ish million, that could be upwards if 13% of your budget on a single player... With 105 man roster limits, you're going to lose a ton because you'll simply run out of money. The math does not math. You can't afford to pay a pair of backups (Porter and Graham) 9-figures not to start. It's financial malpractice when your budget is as tight as OSU's is.

So having a great season could make retention difficult for the following year. Anyone who’s had a good season will have their hands out wanting or looking for more. Do we know what ND’s budget is?

 

[ACamp1900]

Oh man that’s so sad,……..

 

[rtrn2glory]

John Brice reported that OSU's athletic department was $30 million in the red last year, despite winning a national championship. Word on the street is that Ryan Day told Ross Bjork (AD) that it would cost approximately $45 million to keep a top roster at OSU this year. Rumor has it that the number they were ultimately approved to spend was closer to $35 million, as the school looks to balance the athletic department budget better heading into the 2026 fiscal year. Hence the money related transfer losses.

It makes sense that ND outbid Ohio State. Quincy Porter was making around $400K as a freshman and requested a raise to approximately $1 million this year and Ohio State said "no". Rumor has it that Mylan Graham was in a similar situation. Notre Dame apparently offered Nick Marsh approximately $2 million to come to ND, so they had earmarked that kind of money for a wide receiver. It wouldn't surprise me if ND essentially took the money they were willing to spend on Marsh (or something close to it) and split it between Porter and Graham, meeting the request that Ohio State could not.

This is why you have to be careful and manage your budget appropriately. Jeremiah Smith is the best WR in football, but the dude is is making in the neighborhood of $4-$4.5 million per year. When your Rev Shsre + NIL benefit is $35'ish million, that could be upwards if 13% of your budget on a single player... With 105 man roster limits, you're going to lose a ton because you'll simply run out of money. The math does not math. You can't afford to pay a pair of backups (Porter and Graham) 9-figures not to start. It's financial malpractice when your budget is as tight as OSU's is.

As a tax payer in Ohio if that's true that just legit pisses me off. That entire stadium and city is completely packed every Saturday. Where is the money going? Talk about a fraud detector

 

[stpeteirish]

Some thought townshend or whatever from iowa state was that guy. But we didn’t push apparently

Signed with Purdue.

 

[Ndaccountant]

John Brice reported that OSU's athletic department was $30 million in the red last year, despite winning a national championship. Word on the street is that Ryan Day told Ross Bjork (AD) that it would cost approximately $45 million to keep a top roster at OSU this year. Rumor has it that the number they were ultimately approved to spend was closer to $35 million, as the school looks to balance the athletic department budget better heading into the 2026 fiscal year. Hence the money related transfer losses.

It makes sense that ND outbid Ohio State. Quincy Porter was making around $400K as a freshman and requested a raise to approximately $1 million this year and Ohio State said "no". Rumor has it that Mylan Graham was in a similar situation. Notre Dame apparently offered Nick Marsh approximately $2 million to come to ND, so they had earmarked that kind of money for a wide receiver. It wouldn't surprise me if ND essentially took the money they were willing to spend on Marsh (or something close to it) and split it between Porter and Graham, meeting the request that Ohio State could not.

This is why you have to be careful and manage your budget appropriately. Jeremiah Smith is the best WR in football, but the dude is is making in the neighborhood of $4-$4.5 million per year. When your Rev Shsre + NIL benefit is $35'ish million, that could be upwards if 13% of your budget on a single player... With 105 man roster limits, you're going to lose a ton because you'll simply run out of money. The math does not math. You can't afford to pay a pair of backups (Porter and Graham) 9-figures not to start. It's financial malpractice when your budget is as tight as OSU's is.

I am trying to connect this to rev sharing. Is this implying that the OSU AD is indirectly funding NIL?

 

[IrishInOntario]

I am trying to connect this to rev sharing. Is this implying that the OSU AD is indirectly funding NIL?

OSU brought their NIL in house. Who the exact decision makers are, I'm not exactly privy too, but I don't know that school officials make those decisions exclusively.

 

[BrooklynDomer]

So having a great season could make retention difficult for the following year. Anyone who’s had a good season will have their hands out wanting or looking for more. Do we know what ND’s budget is?

I think I read that John Brice said ND will spend between $30M-$35M.

However, we are losing a ton of high earners next year. Traore, Moore, Shuler, Bowen, Sneed, Faison, McKinnie, Gray, and of course, potentially Carr…we should have enough to retain the core of our roster. The problem will be if we have to spend $4M-5M on a QB to replace Carr, then we will likely have a limited budget to add a lot more. The good news is if Gray and Brewu pan out, we shouldn’t have to hit the portal for a DT. Similarly, if Porter and Graham pan out, we might not need a high priced WR either. I could see us spending on OL, maybe DE.

 

[NDMatt91]

I think I read that John Brice said ND will spend between $30M-$35M.

However, we are losing a ton of high earners next year. Traore, Moore, Shuler, Bowen, Sneed, Faison, McKinnie, Gray, and of course, potentially Carr…we should have enough to retain the core of our roster. The problem will be if we have to spend $4M-5M on a QB to replace Carr, then we will likely have a limited budget to add a lot more. The good news is if Gray and Brewu pan out, we shouldn’t have to hit the portal for a DT. Similarly, if Porter and Graham pan out, we might not need a high priced WR either. I could see us spending on OL, maybe DE.

Correct, Brice said on yesterday's II Podcast that the cost of ND's 2026 roster is between $30-35M.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I think I read that John Brice said ND will spend between $30M-$35M.

However, we are losing a ton of high earners next year. Traore, Moore, Shuler, Bowen, Sneed, Faison, McKinnie, Gray, and of course, potentially Carr…we should have enough to retain the core of our roster. The problem will be if we have to spend $4M-5M on a QB to replace Carr, then we will likely have a limited budget to add a lot more. The good news is if Gray and Brewu pan out, we shouldn’t have to hit the portal for a DT. Similarly, if Porter and Graham pan out, we might not need a high priced WR either. I could see us spending on OL, maybe DE.

Of course. If Porter, Graham, Gray, and Brewu pan out we’ll have to pay them accordingly even if we don’t have to hit the portal again. Probably better to think of them as portal athletes we can tamper with.

 

[NDpendent]

Of course. If Porter, Graham, Gray, and Brewu pan out we’ll have to pay them accordingly even if we don’t have to hit the portal again. Probably better to think of them as portal athletes we can tamper with.

Or just think of it as retention which ND does an excellent job of retaining those that will have playing time.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Correct, Brice said on yesterday's II Podcast that the cost of ND's 2026 roster is between $30-35M.

Brice says a lot of things...

 

[stlnd01]

I think I read that John Brice said ND will spend between $30M-$35M.

However, we are losing a ton of high earners next year. Traore, Moore, Shuler, Bowen, Sneed, Faison, McKinnie, Gray, and of course, potentially Carr…we should have enough to retain the core of our roster. The problem will be if we have to spend $4M-5M on a QB to replace Carr, then we will likely have a limited budget to add a lot more. The good news is if Gray and Brewu pan out, we shouldn’t have to hit the portal for a DT. Similarly, if Porter and Graham pan out, we might not need a high priced WR either. I could see us spending on OL, maybe DE.

We recruit and develop OL well enough that we really should never need to hire them in the portal. And don't we have about 18 on the roster currently?

 

[stlnd01]

Or just think of it as retention which ND does an excellent job of retaining those that will have playing time.

Really. Maybe even more impressive than our impressive portal haul is how few significant players we've lost (knock on wood for one more day). Just two from the two-deep, one of whom was the backup QB. Not many of the others had much shot at meaningful minutes. That has to be one of the smallest outflows of any major program.

 

[TorontoGold]

OSU brought their Rev Share in house. Who the exact decision makers are, I'm not exactly privy too, but I don't know that school officials make those decisions exclusively.

Rev share is, and has always, been done in house by the school.