Notre Dame Lands Colorado DB D.J. McKinney
- Ruben Kelly Ysasi
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
In a timely boost to their defensive backfield, Notre Dame has landed Colorado transfer cornerback DJ McKinney, who officially committed to the Fighting Irish on January 12, 2026. The Irish have officially gotten their first commitment out of the Transfer Portal.
The 6-2, 190-pound McKinney, a former three-star high school prospect out of Colleyville Heritage (TX), brings valuable Power conference experience after stops at Oklahoma State and Colorado. In two seasons with the Buffaloes, he tallied 95 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups (including three INTs in 2024), showcasing his ball skills and physicality on the outside.
McKinney entered the transfer portal earlier this month and was ranked as the No. 27 defensive back and No. 307 overall prospect in the 247 Sports Transfer Portal Rankings. Deion Sanders previously praised him highly, noting his length, speed, and competitiveness, while calling him a potential high NFL draft pick, overshadowed by bigger names like Travis Hunter.
For Notre Dame, this addition addresses depth needs in the secondary amid ongoing roster turnover. McKinney's size, production against the pass, and experience make him a plug-and-play option capable of contributing immediately under the Irish staff. This would mark the fourth year in a row that the Irish have taken a transfer nickel (Thomas Harper, Jordan Clark, DeVonta Smith) with one year of eligibility remaining.
Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism.
Follow The Irish Tribune on social media:
Follow @rubenkelly_y on X
Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox.
Check out our Irish partners:
TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20"Â to get $20Â off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here!
