Photo by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media on Wednesday in his first press conference in six weeks. At the start of the press conference, Freeman released a statement on the recent allegations that were brought against him earlier this week. First reported by the South Bend Tribune on Sunday , a police report was filed alleging battery against a local high school wrestling coach at a local wrestling tournament. The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office said earlier this week that Freeman will not face any charges after review of security footage and witness statements. In Freeman's statement, he thanked local authorities for their investigation, the University of Notre Dame for its support of him throughout this situation, and various journalists for "not rushing to report without having all the facts and information." Here is Marcus Freeman's full statement: “First of all, I want to thank Notre Dame for their support and immediate response to this matter. I'm grateful for the trust and defense of me, even before the video evidence was released. I also want to thank [the] Penn High School Administration, the community, and countless others who have reached out to me and my family. I want to commend the journalists who handled their reporting with integrity. I know many of you in this room were aware of the situation, as it was unfolding and I appreciate your patience, and not rushing to report without having all the facts and information. It is also important to me to express my extreme disappointment with one particular local media outlet and a reporter who I believe chose to do the opposite. Had they handled themselves more professionally, and waited for more facts to become available, this would not have become a sensationalized story making national headlines. Because they chose not to do so, my family and I have been dragged through the mud unnecessarily with clickbait headlines. The reality is, I behaved in a respectful and professional manner, while protecting my family, and that should have been the only headline. Journalistic integrity should matter, of holding ethical principles and news reporting, with accuracy and fairness, should matter. I know I'm a public figure and I understand the scrutiny that comes with that, that scrutiny should not extend to my children or any other child of a public figure. Lastly, I want to thank the Mishawaka Police Department and St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office for their efforts in this matter. They examined all the evidence, including video footage and witness statements, and concluded that no criminal battery took place, and that no charges should be filed. I was confident in this outcome because I know I did not intentionally touch anyone in a rude, angry, or disrespectful way. I'm glad this matter has been thoroughly reviewed and resolved. Out of respect for everyone involved, I won't comment further, and we'll move forward with my family and team.” -- Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Head Football Coach You can watch Marcus Freeman's full press conference and listen to his statement below. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Former Ohio State WR Mylan Graham has announced his decision to transfer to Notre Dame. The 6-1, 195-pound wideout is rated as the #39 WR and #142 overall transfer, according to 247 Sports. Graham joins the Fighting Irish following his January 7-8th visit to South Bend. Graham entered the transfer portal on January 5th, with the departure of OSU WR Coach Brian Hartline to USF, and playing time likely a factor in his decision. Immediately following his Notre Dame trip, he visited Auburn on the 8th. Ole Miss and Louisville were also original players in Graham’s transfer portal recruitment, but it boiled down to a return to Columbus or becoming a part of the Fighting Irish, according to Steve Wiltfong. The young WR comes to Notre Dame with three years of eligibility remaining. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Like most Ohio State WR recruits, Graham was an elite high school talent. The Indiana native attended New Haven High School, where he was rated as the #12 WR and #1 player in Indiana in the class of 2024 (247 Sports). The Irish targeted Graham early in his recruitment, as they were his third official offer at the time. Unfortunately, Notre Dame failed to gain any real momentum in his recruitment as he committed to OSU over Alabama, Florida, Penn State, and others.  Graham redshirted in 2024, appearing in four games with no recorded stats. This season, he received some opportunities, hauling in six catches for 93 yards in 12 games played. Notably, he was only on the field for 10-plus snaps in just six games. Graham did see ample playing time against UCLA when he finished with three catches for 40 yards, both season-highs.  Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle So, how does the former top in-state talent fit at Notre Dame? Well, the Irish staff have made it clear that obtaining WRs was a goal this transfer cycle, following the losses of Malachi Fields and Will Pauling, by securing two former Buckeye receivers this cycle. Graham is set to become another member of Notre Dame’s young but talented WR core, including the likes of Quincy Porter, Micah Gilbert, Elijah Burress, Cam Williams, and Jerome Bettis Jr. This core, with QB CJ Carr at the helm, could develop into something special. At Ohio State, Graham displayed some versatility working out of the slot, but he seems to prefer the boundary role. In the limited action, he showed solid hands with just one drop across 12 targets. His best attributes might be his quickness and twitchiness, which lead to some nice YAC. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch and 7.5 YAC per reception this year at OSU. Since arriving at OSU, Graham has added about 25 pounds to his frame, and this should continue to be a central point of development in South Bend. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame has secured a key piece for its defensive line rebuild, landing former Pitt defensive tackle Francis Brewu  via the transfer portal on January 13, 2026. The 6-2, 280-pound sophomore announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish, reuniting with new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who originally recruited him out of high school to the Panthers. Brewu, a former three-star recruit from Thomas Worthington High School in Columbus, Ohio (ranked as a top-500 overall prospect in the 2024 class), entered the portal earlier this month after two productive seasons at Pitt. As a freshman in 2024, he earned PFF Freshman All-American honors with 15 tackles, 3.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks in 12 games (one start). He followed that up with a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025, starting 12 games and leading Pitt's interior linemen with 36 tackles , 7 TFL , 1 sack , 2 QB hurries , and a forced fumble, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Brewu's physicality at the point of attack, strength against the run, and ability to generate pressures make him an ideal fit for Notre Dame's scheme. He even made an impact against the Irish in 2025, recording three tackles (including one TFL) in Pitt's loss to Notre Dame. With two years of eligibility remaining, Brewu provides immediate starting potential and upside on the interior, helping address depth concerns after attrition in the front. The connection with Partridge, who left Pitt for the NFL's Colts before returning to college at Notre Dame, was pivotal, giving the Irish a strong inside track amid interest from Tennessee, Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, and others. Brewu visited South Bend this week, and the reunion sealed the deal. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

“Better late than never.” At one point in time, Keon Keeley represented Marcus Freeman’s biggest recruiting win. After spending three seasons at Alabama, the former five-star edge rusher has again been won over by Freeman and Notre Dame, this time as a top-rated transfer. Keeley entered the transfer portal on January 4th, rated as the #7 edge and #51 overall prospect (247 Sports). Following a January 7th visit to South Bend, the 6-5 and 282-pounder transferred to Notre Dame with two years of eligibility.  Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Coming out of Berkeley Prep in Tampa as the #3 overall recruit in the class of 2023, Keeley committed to Notre Dame early in his process in the summer of ‘21. 14 months later, the highly-touted defender decommitted from the Irish and reopened his recruitment before officially committing and signing with Alabama in December of 2022. Ohio State and Florida were other major players in his high school recruitment. Keeley redshirted and did not play in the 2023 season at Alabama. In 2024, the Crimson Tide switched the OLB to DL while he recorded three tackles in six games played. This season, Keeley tallied 16 tackles, three sacks, one PBU, and a blocked punt in 13 games played as a key rotational piece. His best performance of the year came at a good moment, in the team’s first round CFP game at Oklahoma, where he notched a season-high four tackles, one sack, and a PBU in the road win over the Sooners.  So how does the top-rated transfer fit at Notre Dame? This past year, Keeley did a lot of rotating on the interior and off the edge for the Tide’s defense. The addition of Keeley provides the Fighting Irish with more versatility up front. Bryce Young could be utilized on the interior more, as he appears much more comfortable there compared to Keeley, thus filling a current need. Notre Dame will still need to add a true run-stuffing DT and possibly some depth pieces to sew this unit together. However, an edge combination of Keeley and Boubacar Traore should cause massive headaches for next season’s opposing offenses. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle I believe Keeley still has some untapped potential in his game, and this move to Notre Dame with recently hired DL Coach Charlie Partridge should unearth that. On just 100 pass rush attempts last season, he recorded nine pressures, including two QB hits. Keeley has not shown to be much of a factor against the run, recording two stops while facing 62 rush attempts last year. Perhaps an increased volume would change this, but he definitely poses more of a pass-rushing threat. Positively, the former Crimson Tide defender is a pretty clean tackler, with just two missed tackles coming against the run in week two, his only blemishes. Who will Notre Dame bring home next? Comment below. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

In a major coup for Notre Dame's wide receiver room, former Ohio State five-star transfer Quincy Porter  has committed to the Fighting Irish on January 12th, 2026, per ON3. The 6-4, 210-pound rising sophomore, originally the No. 23 overall prospect and No. 4 wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class (per 247Sports Composite), entered the transfer portal earlier this week after a limited freshman season in Columbus. Porter appeared in just four games for the Buckeyes in 2025, catching 4 passes for 59 yards  amid a crowded receiver depth chart and a late-season injury that sidelined him for several contests. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! A New Jersey native from Bergen Catholic High School, Porter was a high-priority target for Notre Dame during his initial recruitment. He even visited South Bend and received strong interest from the staff before ultimately choosing Ohio State. The Irish now get a coveted second chance, providing immediate upside with four years of eligibility remaining . Porter's elite size, length, speed, and catch radius make him a prototypical outside X-receiver with high-end NFL potential, and would be the perfect replacement for Malachi Fields. Scouts have long praised his ability to win contested catches, stretch the field vertically, and create mismatches, traits that could instantly elevate Notre Dame's passing attack under Marcus Freeman. With the Irish needing playmakers at the position amid portal misses and roster needs, landing a former consensus top-30 national talent addresses a glaring area of concern. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle This commitment comes amid fierce competition from schools like Michigan, Washington, Miami, Tennessee, and others, but Notre Dame's prior relationship, academic appeal, and pitch for early opportunities sealed the deal. Porter's addition pairs perfectly with returning talents and incoming recruits, giving the Irish a dynamic, big-bodied weapon primed for a breakout 2026. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

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. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 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. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

As the transfer portal window heats up in early January 2026, Notre Dame's defensive line has emerged as the program's most pressing area of need heading into the upcoming season. Significant attrition, including the retirement of veteran captain Donovan Hinish, the departure of edge rusher Joshua Burnham to Indiana, and the entry into the portal of rising interior lineman Armel Mukam , has left the Irish thin up front. Mukam, a former top-200 recruit in the 2023 class who played in all 12 games in 2025, was poised for a larger role but entered the portal on January 1 seeking opportunities elsewhere with two years of eligibility remaining. As with any portal entry, players retain the option to withdraw and return to their original school before finalizing a new commitment, which has surfaced as a possibility for Mukam.

With the College Football Playoff snub and a slow-moving transfer portal operation, there are plenty of items on Notre Dame fans' New Year's Resolutions. Photo by Tyler Wong It has been a very emotional month in the Notre Dame football program with a CFP snub, Marcus Freeman's dangling interest in the NFL, and a quiet transfer portal acquisition period. Outside of Freeman's short, but sweet tweet, not many things have gone in the Irish's way since the fateful Selection Sunday. However, in theory, a New Year turns a new leaf, yet Notre Dame hasn't added a single player in the transfer portal, while seeing 19 players leave the program through the portal. While the Fighting Irish have always said they want to major in high school recruiting while minoring in the portal, right now the Irish have an incomplete on their transcript. It isn't for a lack of trying on general manager Mike Martin's efforts as the Irish have had many prospects visit campus, yet they haven't gotten a pledge yet. Notre Dame will surely cash in, and fans simply have to be patient. As agonizing as that may seem, especially when programs such as Indiana and Texas Tech are spending ludicrous amounts of money, the time will come for the Irish. Until then, and to distract people from the lack of acquisitions in the portal, I've devised a football-centric New Year's Resolution list for the 2026 season. Back-to-Back Heisman Finalists Last season, Jeremiyah Love was the most entertaining player in college football. With his combination of size, speed, and his ability to catch and block out of the backfield, Love was named last year's Golden Domer of the Year. While Love made the decision to forego his senior season and enter his name in the NFL draft, the Irish offense could have an entirely new identity next season highlighting standout quarterback CJ Carr. Carr will be the first returning starter Freeman has had in his tenure at Notre Dame, and he is looking to build off his strong redshirt freshman season. Last year, Carr finished with 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. While the receiving corps for next season is still incomplete, Carr is returning his leading receiver in Jordan Faison, along with 2024 playoff-standout Jaden Greathouse looking to get back into the mix for the Irish. Mike Denbrock's offense will have to evolve, and its evolution is centered around one of the most talented quarterbacks in the nation. Carr will look to be Notre Dame's first 3,000+ passing yards quarterback since Jack Coan in 2021. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Attempting to Replace Love and Price Speaking of Jeremiyah Love, he will be impossible to replace. If Jadarian Price stayed for one more season, that would've certainly been an easier transition, yet Price will be joining Love in the 2026 NFL Draft. In a statistical sense, with Love and Price gone, Notre Dame has to replace 312 carries, 2,046 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns. Luckily the Irish have some experience coming back as Aneyas Williams projects to be Notre Dame's top running back followed by Nolan James. Kedren Young is an interesting player to watch as he is recovering from a torn ACL during fall camp a year ago. Young was a touchdown scorer against Navy in 2024 and presents a more bruising running back that can run between the tackles. While no one can match the electric ability of Love or Price, the Irish are also getting two solid options from the 2026 high school recruiting class. Jonaz Walton and Javion Osbourne are both names to watch to make an impact during their freshman years. Running the Regular Season Table Last year, Notre Dame put their fate in the hands of the committee, which ultimately led to them being the first team on the outside looking in for the College Football Playoff. While that may be flawed, Notre Dame couldn't afford to lose two games last season and leave their national championship chances in the hands of, according to Notre Dame professor Jeff Speaks, incompetent and corrupt officials. If you were to look at next season's schedule, there are no massive roadblocks that can mirror the first two games of last season's schedule. To put it lightly, it is not strong at all, and if Notre Dame couldn't make the CFP with two losses to two CFP teams by a combined four points, then the Irish can never make the playoff with two losses on their schedule. The good news about that is that next season, the Irish would have no realistic chance to win a national championship if they lost two games next year. While the addition of BYU is nice, because of the fact Notre Dame is replacing a lackluster USC team that is scared to add a yearly loss to their schedule, the ACC is just so weak. The Miami game will be one to definitely circle on the calendar, but outside of that matchup against the Hurricanes, there isn't much that scares you if you are Notre Dame. Yes, Marcus Freeman has had three embarrassing losses to significantly lesser opponents during his tenure, but the reality of the situation is that Notre Dame can likely go 12-0 next season. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @ LiamFarrell_IT  on X Liked this story? 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Photo by New Mexico State Athletics At 11:46 a.m. EST on Thursday, former New Mexico State DL Ezra Christensen announced on X that he had received an offer from Notre Dame. Christensen is ranked as the No. 25 defensive lineman in the Transfer Portal by 247Sports and checks in at No. 338 overall. Christensen put together a dominant 2025 season, recording 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble for the Aggies. He earned First Team All-Conference USA honors, was named a First Team Defensive All-American by PFSN, where only two Group of Five players were selected, and also landed on the HERO Sports Group of Five All-American team. Since entering the portal, Christensen has picked up a long list of Power Four offers, including Duke, Colorado, Kentucky, James Madison, Minnesota, Washington, Virginia, Wisconsin, Auburn, and Iowa State. The highly sought-after transfer is expected to continue drawing interest from programs at the P4 level. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On tape, Christensen consistently disrupts opposing offensive lines with a blend of quick hands and raw power, often flashing a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” burst from the 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive lineman. He moved to San Diego for his sophomore year of high school, where he began playing football, and later earned Palomar League Player of the Year honors during his senior season after leading the league with 15 sacks. Christensen began his college career at San Diego Mesa College in 2022 before transferring to Fresno State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! From a Notre Dame perspective, Christensen’s profile aligns well with the program’s recent emphasis on versatile, high-motor defensive linemen who can contribute immediately while still offering developmental upside. His ability to generate interior pressure with quick hands and leverage would complement Notre Dame’s existing defensive front, particularly in sub-package situations where pass-rush efficiency is prioritized over size alone. With proven Group of Five production and Power Four interest, Christensen represents a low-risk, high-upside portal target, one capable of providing rotational depth early while pushing for a larger role as he acclimates to the Irish defensive system. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

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. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 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. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 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. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame is set to hire Colts Defensive Line Coach Charlie Partridge for the same position. Photo by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Irish moved quickly to fill the opening following the announcement that Al Washington will shift from defensive line coach to linebackers coach beginning in 2026. The move comes after Max Bullough departed Notre Dame to become the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Michigan State, his alma mater. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Partridge joins Notre Dame with nearly 30 years of college coaching experience, including stops at Wisconsin and Pittsburgh, as well as a three-year stint as the head coach at Florida Atlantic. Prior to joining the staff in Indianapolis, he spent seven seasons on Pat Narduzzi’s staff at Pitt, where he played a key role in the program’s defensive development. Earlier in his career, Partridge served as Wisconsin’s co-defensive coordinator alongside Chris Ash from 2011-12, before the pair joined Arkansas’s staff in 2013 in similar defensive leadership roles. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Throughout his career, Partridge has worked with elite defensive talent, including coaching J.J. Watt at Wisconsin, Trey Flowers at Arkansas, and Calijah Kancey during his time at Pitt. 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: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok 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" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!