Notre Dame football has plenty of transfer portal options to turn to following the loss of defensive end Joshua Burnham 

Where should Notre Dame football turn after defensive end Joshua Burnham opted for the transfer portal?

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) looks to pass against Utah Utes defensive end John Henry Daley (90) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Notre Dame football was dealt a difficult blow this week when it was announced that defensive end Joshua Burnham was entering the transfer portal. Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have been trying their best to bring the senior defensive end back for his final season, but Burnham will now eye other options out there. 

The 6-4, 260-pound defensive end is a quality football player who was arguably the team’s best defensive lineman in the second half of the year. He finished the 2025 campaign with 16 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks. Burnham finished his Notre Dame career with 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks in total. 

With Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young both set to return for the 2026 college football season, the Irish defense should still be in a good spot with their starters on the edge. The depth, however, lies in the bigger question marks. Notre Dame will need at least one or two of the younger group: Loghan Thomas, Christopher Burgess, Dom Hulak, Rodney Dunham, and Ebenezer Ewetade to step up this offseason. 

There’s also a chance that Notre Dame eyes an addition when the portal opens up on Jan. 2. If it does, there are plenty of talented options out there. Here are some of the top names to know right now. 

Transfer portal defensive ends to know

Sahir West (James Madison) 

I could not care less what level West played on. The 6-3, 269-pound pass rusher is an outstanding talent who can play anywhere in the country. As a redshirt freshman, West recorded 45 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four pass breakups. He’s a very powerful defensive end who brings an outstanding ceiling to the table. 

John Henry Daley (Utah)

Despite having two years of eligibility remaining, Daley is a bit of an older player after serving an LDS mission to begin his college career. He has spent time with both BYU and Utah.

Still, there is expected to be a substantial market for the talented pass rusher, including his former head coach, Kyle Whittingham, trying to get him to come play for the Michigan Wolverines. The 6-4, 255-pound pass rusher managed 48 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in 2025. 

Jayden Woods (Florida) 

If Woods’ name sounds familiar, it’s because he held an offer from Notre Dame in the 2025 recruiting class. At 6-3 and 248 pounds, the true freshman is more of a pure pass rusher right now, but he has loads of developmental potential. Woods ended the year with 28 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks despite being a part of a deeper rotation. 

Tobi Osunsanmi (Kansas State) 

Osunsanmi was having a very strong season for the Wildcats, but unfortunately, durability limited him. He still managed to total 20 tackles, six sacks, and four sacks in just six games played. At 6-3 and 250 pounds, the Kansas native is a relentless pass rusher with a solid overall power profile. His game is pretty similar to Burnham’s, but brings a bit more twitch and upside as a pass rusher. 

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