Notre Dame football has another potential Transfer Portal option that would provide a skill set the Fighting Irish need more of
There is yet another Transfer Portal wide receiver target that Notre Dame football should be all in on.
The Notre Dame passing offense took a nice step forward in 2025 behind the talented right arm of quarterback CJ Carr. For the first time in a very long time, the passing attack feels like it can be a legitimate complement to the rushing attack, if not exceed it at times. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock should be really excited heading into the 2026 season, having one of the best offenses in all of college football returning, and an extremely high ceiling to tap into.
In order for this passing attack to take the next step forward with Carr, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish staff must do their best to surround him with as much talent as possible. While the wide receiver room was pretty good in 2025, Notre Dame is now pressed to replace Malachi Fields and Will Pauling, as well as tight end Eli Raridon. Jaden Greathouse’s future with the program is also in doubt after a turbulent junior campaign. There are still some solid options to work with, but some other answers need to be found.
For what feels like the hundredth straight offseason, the Irish staff will once again be searching for some wide receiver help in the Transfer Portal. The emphasis should be to find some impact size in the boundary for Carr to work with, but the team would be unwise not to consider all the talent that is out there. That includes a speed element, which will be available in the portal once it opens on January 2.
On Tuesday, the portal got an injection of that aforementioned speed when Kansas State star wide receiver Jayce Brown opted to enter. The junior pass catcher is one of the best big-play threats in the entire country and promises to have many suitors. Notre Dame should be included on that list.
Jayce Brown’s background
A three-year contributor for the Wildcats, Brown has been one of the best deep threats in college football. In 33 games with the team, the Florida native has managed to haul in 115 receptions for 1,972 yards and 13 touchdowns, an average of 17.1 yards per reception. The 6-0, 179-pound athlete has also carried the football 14 times for 161 yards and another score on the ground during that time.
When Brown came out of Fort Walton (Fla.) Choctawhatchee in the 2023 recruiting class, he chose Kansas State over an offer list that included Tulane, Western Kentucky, Navy, MTSU, Georgia State, Arkansas State, Army, Air Force, Charlotte, Alcorn State, and Charleston Southern. Brown was considered to be just a three-star, the No. 1,396 overall player, the No. 203 wide receiver, and the No. 201 player from the state of Florida in the 2023 class according to the 247 Sports Composite ranking.
Needless to say, Brown has far exceeded those recruiting rankings. He has made all the programs who didn’t offer him look very bad as well. This second chance at the recruiting process promises to be a lot more glamorous this time around.
For Notre Dame, while Brown isn’t the big-bodied boundary receiver they need, it would be hard to pass up the speed and playmaking ability that he brings to the table. The Irish staff should, at the very least, reach out to the former Kansas State star to see how interested he might be. Between him and former Michigan State star Nick Marsh, those are the two best wide receivers on the market so far, and it isn’t particularly close.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
Notre Dame football has a potential Transfer Portal target that the Fighting Irish defense should prioritize once it opens
There is a new Notre Dame Transfer Portal target for Irish fans to know.
