Notre Dame could once again be in the market for a WR this offseason, and it needs to go all in on a former Big Ten star
Notre Dame has a clear transfer portal need this offseason, and there is an answer now on the table.
The Notre Dame wide receiver room has been a lot better compared to years past, but the Fighting Irish will be saying goodbye to Malachi Fields and Will Pauling this offseason. With the future of Jaden Greathouse in question to a degree, this pass-catching group will be talented but extremely inexperienced heading into the 2026 college football season. Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will be pressed to find answers to that inexperience issue this offseason.
While it isn’t as pressing as in previous seasons, I would expect the Fighting Irish to once again be open to wide receiver options in the transfer portal. You should expect a smaller number this time around, but if there is a player who can help a talented younger quarterback like CJ Carr, Notre Dame needs to consider it.
On Monday, an extremely interesting wide receiver, Michigan State’s Nick Marsh, entered the portal following the Spartans’ saying goodbye to head coach Jonathan Smith. The 6-3, 215-pound pass catcher could be an exciting option for several teams this offseason.
The former River Rouge (Mich.) High School standout did hold an offer from Notre Dame back in the 2024 class. The Irish should go all in on one of the more physically gifted pass catchers in the Midwest if he has any semblance of interest this time around.
Nick Marsh as a football player
In two seasons with the Spartans, Marsh has hauled in 100 receptions for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. Despite being part of a struggling overall offense at Michigan State, Marsh still made several big plays for the team during his time. That ability to create big plays at his size makes for an impressive profile.
If Marsh did end up with Notre Dame, he would project well to the boundary receiver position. In that spot, his combination of size, body control, and contested catch ability would be a major asset in 1-on-1 situations. That catch radius makes him nearly uncoverable in those catch point opportunities.
It is unclear whether Notre Dame will have significant interest in Marsh during this portal cycle, but it should. Right now, its focus is on a potential playoff run, but with Fields off to the NFL, this wide receiver room would desperately lack size on the outside. Marsh would bring that profile, on top of two years of eligibility remaining, if the Irish could make the fit work.
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