Who is Still on the Board? Looking at Potential Notre Dame Transfer Portal Targets
- Noah Wehby
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
After a bit of a slow start in the transfer portal, Notre Dame is still in the running for some top portal targets, but they will still need to find a boundary wide receiver after the commitments of Nick Marsh and Ian Strong.
Xavier Gilliam - Penn State Defensive Tackle
Coming into this portal window, the defensive line is the biggest need that needs to be addressed. With graduates and players lost to the portal, Notre Dame's defensive line from the 2025 season is mostly gone, especially in the interior. That is why Gilliam would be a massive get for Marcus Freeman and the Irish defense. Rated as the fifth-best defensive tackle in the portal, according to On3, Gilliam would likely compete for a starting role going into the 2026 season. As just a redshirt freshman, Gilliam played in 11 games where he recorded 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Gilliam is still in the infancy of his college career and appears to have a lot of untapped potential. He is an explosive athlete in the interior. Combine that with being just over 300 lbs., Gilliam could become a force on the defensive line. Notre Dame's new defensive line coach, Charlie Partridge, is known for developing talent, which seems like a perfect fit for a young player like Gilliam. He took his official visit to Notre Dame on Tuesday, so a decision on Gilliam's future could be made soon, as Notre Dame is looking to land their first transfer in 2026.
Xavier Townsend - Iowa State Wide Receiver
Notre Dame has had a rough go of it landing a wide receiver in the portal, thus far. They first missed on Nick Marsh, who committed to Indiana. Then, they lost a battle to Cal for Rutgers standout Ian Strong. Now, Notre Dame pivots to Townsend. Townsend was on campus earlier this week but is getting courted by other programs like Florida State. Unlike Marsh and Strong, Townsend does not have the unique size Notre Dame appears to be looking for in the portal. Although lacking size, Townsend has shown the ability to make plays with his speed and shiftiness. He would be a great depth piece to add to the wide receiver room, especially since KK Smith has recently entered the portal. Whether Townsend decides to join the Irish or not, do not be surprised if Notre Dame continues to search for that boundary receiver that has been so elusive to obtain in this year's portal.
Keon Keeley - Alabama Defensive End
Many Irish fans will be familiar with the name Keon Keeley, as he was once a 5-star Notre Dame commit before flipping to Alabama. Keeley is now back on the market, and it appears Marcus Freeman will try once again to bring Keeley to South Bend. With a visit scheduled for Wednesday, Keeley is now a premier target to help revamp their defensive line. Although his time at Alabama has been quiet, Keeley possesses all the physical traits necessary to become a star in college football. During his last season at Alabama, Keeley played in every game but only totaled 16 tackles and three sacks on limited snaps. While it is clear Keeley is athletic, explosive, and a powerful athlete, the next step will be turning those traits into production.
John Henry Daley - Utah Defensive End
Also visiting Notre Dame this week, Daley would be another talented and productive option for this Notre Dame defensive line. In his first season of real playing time, Daley instantly became one of the most effective pass rushers in the entire country before going down with an Achilles injury. While healthy, Daley recorded 11.5 sacks, 48 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Those kinds of stats would immediately make him one of the most productive players on the Notre Dame defense. Daley's stats also make him, in a way, the safest option in the portal. Many of Notre Dame's other targets are talented but have yet to put it all together on the field. On the other hand, Daley is coming off a concerning late-season Achilles rupture that could put much of the season in jeopardy.
Francis Brewu - Pitt Defensive Tackle
Sticking to the trend of defensive linemen, Brewu is yet another option at defensive tackle that Notre Dame has set their eyes on. With a visit to South Bend coming up and a strong connection to defensive line coach Partridge, it appears that Notre Dame is in good position to land Brewu, but there are a lot of teams looking to land the talented young defensive tackle. As a sophomore, Brewu was a very impactful part of a defense that ranked amongst the best in stopping the run. Due to his size and physical nature, Brewu was rarely pushed off the line of scrimmage, blocked running lanes, and tackled the ball carrier. Last season, Brewu totaled 36 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. With Brewu just scratching the surface, he could be an excellent piece to the Irish defense in 2026 and years to come.
As a smaller note but worth keeping an eye on, Ohio State 5-star freshman wide receiver Quincy Porter has entered the portal. Porter was once a target for Notre Dame during his high school recruitment and could potentially be one once again. Porter fits exactly what Notre Dame is looking for at wide receiver in the portal. At 6'4, he is the perfect size to play as a boundary wide receiver and still has plenty of time to continue his growth as a former 5-star recruit. As of now, it has not been reported if he will take a visit, but that could change quickly, as the portal moves fast.
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