Post-Spring Transfer Portal: Key Position Roster Outlook

Liam Farrell
May 5
4 min read

As Notre Dame survived a mass exodus amid the spring transfer portal window, here is where the Fighting Irish's roster sits at crucial positions.

Photo by The Irish Tribune

With the departures of Steve Angeli, Kennedy Urlacher, Zak Yoakam, and Rino Monteforte, the Fighting Irish were affected by the spring transfer portal but not destroyed.

With the amount of depth Notre Dame possesses on its roster, transfers were bound to happen, yet Marcus Freeman's ability to keep the players on the fence from transferring is where the Irish shined.

With loaded running back and linebacker rooms, there was almost a certainty Notre Dame would lose at least one talented player, but after each player's post-spring practice one-on-ones, no one from either room had departed.

While the Irish aren't officially out of the woods, with graduate players being able to transfer at any time, it should be interesting to see which players depart after earning their prestigious Notre Dame degree. With that being said, here is where the Irish roster sits at crucial positions after the spring transfer portal window.

Quarterback

CJ Carr, Blake Hebert, Kenny Minchey, Anthony Rezac, Tyler Buchner?

Freeman stated his desire for a two-man competition following the Blue-Gold game, and he got his wish as the veteran of the group, Steve Angeli, entered the transfer portal, and committed to the Syracuse Orange.

Angeli's departure gives way to CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey vying for the opportunity to start against the Miami Hurricanes during Week One of the college football season.

Blake Hebert and Anthony Rezac will split the third team reps, and Rezac will remain a valuable part of the Irish's scout team offense.

It will be interesting to see if Tyler Buchner returns to the quarterback room for the Fighting Irish as well.

Running Back

Dylan Devezin, Nolan James Jr., Jeremiyah Love, Gi’Bran Payne, Jadarian Price, Jake Tafelski, Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young

This is one position where the Fighting Irish were bound to lose one impact player, yet there were no departures during the spring transfer window.

Coach Ju'Juan Seider has stated that he only plays three running backs, if that, on game days, which makes it hard to spread touches as much as previous running backs coach Deland McCullough would do so last year.

There are no questions that Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price will be the featured backs, but it will be interesting to see who slides into the RB3 role.

Will it be Aneyas Williams who was the third down back last season and came into his own during the playoff run? Or will it be Gi'Bran Payne who assumed that position in 2023 before tearing his ACL in the last spring's Blue-Gold game? Kedren Young has also shown great potential in the limited reps he's received. Could he see playing time on Saturdays in the fall?

These questions are why it was so shocking to see no one leave the room. As for Young and Williams, they are still young and are the heir to the reps that will be vacated by Price and Love opting for the 2026 NFL Draft. But yet, the culture instilled by Marcus Freeman has every player bought into the Fighting Irish, and the lack of entries into the portal speaks volumes of his work.

Defensive End

Jordan Botelho, Christopher Burgess Jr., Josh Burnham, Dominik Hulak, Cole Mullins, Loghan Thomas, Boubacar Traore, Junior Tuihalamaka, Bryce Young

The defensive end position was yet another one that is absolutely loaded with talent. With the return of Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore from injury, the Fighting Irish will have two premium pass rushers re-enter the equation.

However, it should be interesting to see how Al Washington handles the rotations for the upcoming season. Junior Tuihalamaka and Josh Burnham stepped up to the challenge last season after the injuries to Botelho and Traore.

Then, there is superstar Bryce Young, who shows the greatest signs of potential with his freakish athleticism. Loghan Thomas is right there with Young as well, due to his speed off the end.

One could even factor Christopher Burgess Jr. into the equation next season, as the highly touted freshman looks the part of a high-caliber Division I pass rusher.

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Linebacker

Jaiden Ausberry, Drayk Bowen, Madden Faraimo, Bodie Kahoun, Kahanu Kia, Ko’o Kia, Tommy Powlus, Tre Reader, Teddy Rezac, Anthony Sacca, Jaylen Sneed, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Preston Zinter

Here is yet another room where Notre Dame is tremendously blessed with talent.

Last season, Max Bullough rotated five guys (Ausberry, Bowen, Kiser, Sneed, Viliamu-Asa) for playing time last season. With captain Jack Kiser leaving and being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round of the NFL Draft, there is a hole to be filled, if Bullough decides to rotate five players again.

Could it be Madden Faraimo, who was an early enrollee, and already looks physically ready for high-level football? Or will it be Preston Zinter, who carries a little more experience, and is a warrior on special teams?

It should be interesting to see how the rotations in the linebacker room shake out, outside of the four cemented impact players for the Fighting Irish defense.