With Notre Dame’s season ending on an extremely sour note, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish were forced to go into offseason mode earlier than anticipated. While it is unfortunate, the program does get an early start on its transfer portal strategy when it opens on Jan. 2. I expect the Irish staff to be more involved in the market this time around.

As we get ready for the portal to enter, here is a bit of a primer for what Notre Dame fans should expect. That includes the position of emphasis, and where this staff needs to tackle most over the next month. The Irish staff needs a big period to set this team up for a College Football Playoff run next season.

Notre Dame transfer portal needs

Improving the defensive tackle room 

The defensive tackle position is saying goodbye to Gabriel Rubio, Jared Dawson, and Jason Onye this offseason. With that many losses, Notre Dame needs to go to the portal for a couple of defensive tackles. It also needs at least one player who could start and provide you with some impact upside.

If Notre Dame doesn’t hit a home run at defensive tackle in the portal, or at least a triple, then I would have huge concerns going into next season. Adding impact size inside is extremely important for this Irish staff.

Boundary wide receiver insurance 

Trying to find boundary wide receiver options has become a yearly search for Notre Dame, and I don’t expect that to be any different this season. I don’t think that the Irish staff needs to attack volume quite as much as in years past, but you definitely need to add some impact size.

Quarterback CJ Carr has shown that he has no issue giving players some chances outside of the numbers. They need to find that caliber of talent on the outside.

Fixing the kicking situation 

Lather, rinse, repeat; you have to get a proven place kicker in the portal. You might also need to go after a punter, depending on how the staff thinks of Erik Schmidt with James Rendell exhausting his eligibility. Special teams coordinator Marty Biagi needs to have a better cycle identifying a fit for the room, at kicker, anyway.

Quiet offensive needs 

With Jeremiyah Love or Jadarian Price heading off to the NFL more than likely, the Notre Dame running back room will look different next season. There is also a chance you lose Gi’bran Payne to the portal as well, and it is uncertain whether Aneyas Williams will definitely return or not.

If Williams does, then there is no need for the Fighting Irish to go after a running back. If he does leave, then you are in a tough spot, and you need to consider at least adding a talented running back to that room.

The other sneaky need could be at tight end. Again, if you think that Cooper Flanagan will be fully healthy, and true freshman Ian Premer can come in to help, then you probably don’t need to push hard for a talented portal option. There will be some interesting options out there, and playing tight end at Notre Dame is a nice sell for talented options out there.

To nickel or not to nickel 

In three consecutive years, Notre Dame has gone to the portal for a starter at nickel, including Thomas Harper, Jordan Clark, and DeVonta Smith. With Dallas Golden in place, the Irish could potentially snap that streak, but that depends on whether they need Golden on the outside or not.

There are already several talented nickels in the portal, including former Clemson star Khalil Barnes. If Notre Dame does want to go to the portal for the position again, there will be options.

The Aamil Wagner debate

Notre Dame has an interesting debate this offseason concerning its two-year starter at right tackle. While Aamil Wagner is a good player, the Irish have a bit of a logjam in the offensive line room right now. With Charles Jagusah returning from injury, Joe Rudolph has other options like Guerby Lambert to try and get on the field in some capacity.

Wagner is expected to bypass the 2026 NFL Draft and return to school for his final year, and if he opts for the portal, Wagner would earn a healthy payday. There aren’t enough good offensive linemen in College Football, so don’t be surprised if that’s a route that Wagner chooses to go, but he would leave South Bend on very good terms.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News

Notre Dame football should have their eyes set on a small school star to add once the Transfer Portal officially opens up

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Ryan Roberts