Notre Dame fans only need to watch one game of their new tight end transfer to see what he brings to the table
There was some talk about Notre Dame having interest in bringing in a tight end via the Transfer Portal this offseason. With both Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman exhausting eligibility, as well as Eli Raridon having some past durability issues, adding one more healthy body made a lot of sense. The big question was who […]
There was some talk about Notre Dame having interest in bringing in a tight end via the Transfer Portal this offseason. With both Mitchell Evans and Kevin Bauman exhausting eligibility, as well as Eli Raridon having some past durability issues, adding one more healthy body made a lot of sense. The big question was who they would target.
Irish fans found out that answer this week when former Arkansas transfer Ty Washington announced his commitment to the team. Washington was not a player who was on many radars, having very little prediction during his three years in Fayetteville. The Georgia native had flashes, but did not have anything close to consistent impact.
When you dive deep into the background, and profile of Washington, things get weirder and weirder. In those three years with the Razorbacks, he managed to haul in just 14 receptions for 212 yards and four touchdowns. The majority of that came during the 2023 season, where he made 11 receptions for 170 yards and two scores.
The even crazier part is that nearly half of his career production actually came in a single football game. When Arkansas matched up against the Ole Miss Rebels in 2023, Washington was a huge part of that game plan. On the day, he made seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. If that was your first time watching Washington, you might be able to convince yourself that he might be one of the more talented tight ends in college football.
When you consider Washington’s production, one thing to keep in mind is that he did have to share a lot of reps with Luke Hasz, who is one of the better tight ends in the country and opted to transfer to Ole Miss this offseason. If not for Hasz, it’s reasonable to think that Washington could have been a huge part of the offense.
For Notre Dame, this is a player who seems like a perfect talent to gamble on. The 6-4, 248-pounder was dismissed by Arkansas for a violation of team rules, and only was able to play in seven games. The Irish are in a position where they have Raridon and Cooper Flanagan back, so the team is set at the top of the depth chart.
At worst, Washington is a solid depth addition to the room. If he is developed well, then there is a lot of upside to still tap into. Can we see more of the Ole Miss version? Is Washington going to be TE3? Nobody knows, and honesty, that will be pretty exciting to watch.
Notre Dame is starting to make waves in the transfer portal, but the biggest roster question remains
Biggest Notre Dame portal need remains.
