Outgoing Players

1. Jaden Mickey, DB

2. Tyson Ford, DL, Cal

3. Aiden Gobaira, DL

4. Deion Colzie, WR

5. Jayden Thomas, WR

6. Sam Pendleton, OL - Tennessee

7. Rocco Spindler, OL

8. Pat Coogan, OL

9. Ty Chan, OL

10. Benjamin Morrison, CB - NFL Draft

11. Xavier Watts, S - NFL Draft

12. Howard Cross III, DL - NFL Draft

13. Beaux Collins, WR - NFL Draft

14. Mitch Jeter, K - NFL Draft

15. Rylie Mills, DL - NFL Draft

16. Mitchell Evans, TE - NFL Draft

Incoming Players

1. DeVonta Smith, DB Alabama

2. Malachi Fields, WR Virginia

3. Will Pauling, WR Wisconsin

4. Ty Washington, TE Arkansas

5. Jared Dawson, DT Louisville

6. Noah Burnette, K North Carolina

7. Elijah Hughes, DT USC

8. Jalen Stroman, S Virginia Tech

What are the numbers? We just brought in a class of 25. How many players are we definitely losing because they have no eligibility left? I figure we lose a QB who no longer is willing to sit. Who else from ND enters the portal when the season is over?

2 minutes ago, brian_nd88 said:

What are the numbers? We just brought in a class of 25. How many players are we definitely losing because they have no eligibility left? I figure we lose a QB who no longer is willing to sit. Who else from ND enters the portal when the season is over?

Great question. depends on who enters at least 19. so we expect to lose 6

My initial thoughts

I count five or take 19 senior/graduate students that will be gone

Maybe a qb. But those guys seem to all really like each other. I also think no one truly knows who will start so it may be a spring departure rather a winter. +1

Rb- Gi’Bran Payne would be the one I would keep an eye on only because he’s been injured now twice in two seasons and does he get passed up? BUT, that would leave them with just three main scholly running backs in Love, Price, Williams, and Young +1

Wr- will be interesting to see if it goes like it did this year. I like Thomas but I think him and Colzie are gone. Add in departures of Collins, Harrison, Mitchell, and you have a very young inexperienced group with Greathouse, Williams, Gilbert, Saldate, Smith, and maybe one or two I’m missing. This will be a need +2

Te- Not sure if Evans can come back but I think he’s done. Flannigan, Raridon, Larson and incoming Flannigan. They may need to add one more +1

Ol- I don’t think they need to add anything

Dl- very interesting here yes, they need size in the middle but they will have a plethora of edge rushers. Traore, Botelho, Tuihalamaka, Burnham, Mukam, Rubio, Sevellano, Vernon, Houston, Onye, Hinish, and Thomas I think somebody’s going to leave if you bring in too many I’m going +1

Lb- I wouldn’t dare add anyone unless someone leaves. But they are young and talented. -0

Cb/S- I’ll add together since ND kind of blends those sometimes. Loose Clark, BenMo, Watts, and Heard. I would look portal for senior leadership. +2

They will need a kick returner and punt returner unless they like someone on the team already. But I’ll go +1.

That leaves my total of adds in the portal to 9. About close to average ND has done every year.

The only ones I see leaving possibly(no true knowledge of the program or kids thoughts) are Qb in spring, maybe Payne, an OL like Chan if he doesn’t have his degree, maybe Tui, Mukam, or Vernon, Houston on DL. Too thin on corner and safety. So I don’t see many transfers out.

What was the story with Cam Williams? Why didn’t he play? I could see him hitting the portal, unless injury was the issue.

Kedren Young is a candidate to hit the portal, I think. If Love, Price, and Aneyas Williams all stick, given than Kedren didn’t play much if at all, I could see him looking for playing time somewhere else.

Wide receivers to get from the portal: we sure need some. And at least anyone who is in the portal will have demonstrated he has adjusted to college life and can play. The portal wide receivers won’t likely be superstars, but solid.

Same is true with defensive line. I do think ND needs more solid depth there.

17 minutes ago, AnTostal said:

What was the story with Cam Williams? Why didn’t he play? I could see him hitting the portal, unless injury was the issue.

Kedren Young is a candidate to hit the portal, I think. If Love, Price, and Aneyas Williams all stick, given than Kedren didn’t play much if at all, I could see him looking for playing time somewhere else.

Wide receivers to get from the portal: we sure need some. And at least anyone who is in the portal will have demonstrated he has adjusted to college life and can play. The portal wide receivers won’t likely be superstars, but solid.

Same is true with defensive line. I do think ND needs more solid depth there.

I think Williams was just the playbook. I’ve never heard an inkling that he is t talented or complaining about playing time. I think it’s a learning curve and he’s on his own trajectory. I think he’ll stick.

Young could be a candidate. But he’s a year younger than Payne. That’s why I didn’t include him but he could be a candidate sure.

2 hours ago, coltssb said:

My initial thoughts

I count five or take 19 senior/graduate students that will be gone

Maybe a qb. But those guys seem to all really like each other. I also think no one truly knows who will start so it may be a spring departure rather a winter. +1

Rb- Gi’Bran Payne would be the one I would keep an eye on only because he’s been injured now twice in two seasons and does he get passed up? BUT, that would leave them with just three main scholly running backs in Love, Price, Williams, and Young +1

Wr- will be interesting to see if it goes like it did this year. I like Thomas but I think him and Colzie are gone. Add in departures of Collins, Harrison, Mitchell, and you have a very young inexperienced group with Greathouse, Williams, Gilbert, Saldate, Smith, and maybe one or two I’m missing. This will be a need +2

Te- Not sure if Evans can come back but I think he’s done. Flannigan, Raridon, Larson and incoming Flannigan. They may need to add one more +1

Ol- I don’t think they need to add anything

Dl- very interesting here yes, they need size in the middle but they will have a plethora of edge rushers. Traore, Botelho, Tuihalamaka, Burnham, Mukam, Rubio, Sevellano, Vernon, Houston, Onye, Hinish, and Thomas I think somebody’s going to leave if you bring in too many I’m going +1

Lb- I wouldn’t dare add anyone unless someone leaves. But they are young and talented. -0

Cb/S- I’ll add together since ND kind of blends those sometimes. Loose Clark, BenMo, Watts, and Heard. I would look portal for senior leadership. +2

They will need a kick returner and punt returner unless they like someone on the team already. But I’ll go +1.

That leaves my total of adds in the portal to 9. About close to average ND has done every year.

The only ones I see leaving possibly(no true knowledge of the program or kids thoughts) are Qb in spring, maybe Payne, an OL like Chan if he doesn’t have his degree, maybe Tui, Mukam, or Vernon, Houston on DL. Too thin on corner and safety. So I don’t see many transfers out.

I do not agree with most of your post.

• Freeman already said they are not pursuing a QB in the portal. I do think Angeli transfers, but they will Rezac and Buchner for “depth” purposes after the 3 on scholarship (I think Minchey and Carr both stay as there will be no decision made in the Spring on who the starter is)

• They will not need a RB from the portal, even if Payne leaves, if 2 leave (portal or NFL, then maybe)

• They will not need a TE from the portal (unless someone unexpected hits the portal)

• I see them possibly going after only 1 DB, but only if they can hit a home-run for a nickel. I do not think they will take a body just to have a body (Also, there is talk of BMo deciding to come back)

• They will take 1-2 WRs

• They will take 1-2 DT (Curt Neal from Wisconsin has been mentioned recently and then they will go after a bigger fish)

• I do agree they will try to get a FG kicker from the portal for next year instead of relying on the incoming freshman.

3 minutes ago, NDhoosier said:

I do not agree with most of your post.

• Freeman already said they are not pursuing a QB in the portal. I do think Angeli transfers, but they will Rezac and Buchner for “depth” purposes after the 3 on scholarship (I think Minchey and Carr both stay as there will be no decision made in the Spring on who the starter is)

• They will not need a RB from the portal, even if Payne leaves, if 2 leave (portal or NFL, then maybe)

• They will not need a TE from the portal (unless someone unexpected hits the portal)

• I see them possibly going after only 1 DB, but only if they can hit a home-run for a nickel. I do not think they will take a body just to have a body (Also, there is talk of BMo deciding to come back)

• They will take 1-2 WRs

• They will take 1-2 DT (Curt Neal from Wisconsin has been mentioned recently and then they will go after a bigger fish)

• I do agree they will try to get a FG kicker from the portal for next year instead of relying on the incoming freshman.

Do you think they are only going to get 6 transfers then? They have been getting anywhere from 7-9 the past three years.

I think Freeman is saying that NOW because he has three decent qb’s on the roster NOW. If one or two transfer out I doubt they stay pat with Buchner and Rezac as backups. Freeman isn’t going to want another Marshall type season when they had Buchner and Pyne and a true frosh in Angeli as their only backups.

May be right on running back. I forgot they did get a frosh running back to sign. So they would still have 4.

I’m not so sure on tightend unless I’m missing someone. They will have Raridon, Flannigan, Larson and Flannigan. The first two have been injured and haven’t survived a full season. Larson was undersized if I remember correctly. Flannigan will be a true frosh.

If BenMo comes back then there’s no need. But Freeman and Golden has shown to go after a nickel/safety every class so far. I don’t see why they wouldn’t now.

I think anyone could hit portal. No one is safe to stick. There will be some who you think should go and some head scratches. My guess is 10 to 15 hit portal.

4 hours ago, coltssb said:

Do you think they are only going to get 6 transfers then? They have been getting anywhere from 7-9 the past three years.

I think Freeman is saying that NOW because he has three decent qb’s on the roster NOW. If one or two transfer out I doubt they stay pat with Buchner and Rezac as backups. Freeman isn’t going to want another Marshall type season when they had Buchner and Pyne and a true frosh in Angeli as their only backups.

May be right on running back. I forgot they did get a frosh running back to sign. So they would still have 4.

I’m not so sure on tightend unless I’m missing someone. They will have Raridon, Flannigan, Larson and Flannigan. The first two have been injured and haven’t survived a full season. Larson was undersized if I remember correctly. Flannigan will be a true frosh.

If BenMo comes back then there’s no need. But Freeman and Golden has shown to go after a nickel/safety every class so far. I don’t see why they wouldn’t now.

1. You are right, and that usually includes a QB that they are not looking for right now. They would have Minchey. Carr, and Hebert on scholarship at worst, which I believe 3 scholarship QBs are plenty, I think it is unrealistic to keep 4 QBs on a roster in this age of the transfer portal. Also, ND does not WANT to get a starting QB from the portal, what QB is going to voluntarily come to ND without a strong “promise” to start? What QB would fans even want who agrees to come as a backup?

2. Price, Love, Payne, Williams, Young, and then James coming in. That is 6, I do think one likely to transfer and that is most likely to be Payne. Price would be a worse case scenario as he tries to leave for the NFL or wants to be the featured back somewhere else. I think Most likely they will have 5 big time backs on the roster, and I am comfortable with them

3. As for TE, I think 4 will be fine as they are not as heavy on TE as past years and the 4 they have are pretty good. Larson may be shorter than the others at 6’4”, but I wouldn’t call him “undersized.”

4. Definitely agree with you on the nickel, but only if it is going to a massive pickup like the last two years have been.

Freeman mentioned in multiple interviews in the last week that he wants to “minor in the transfer portal.” I think he would prefer to get a small class as that means he met most of his needs from the incoming class of HS players. This year, ND does not have many glaring weaknesses/needs as they have done well in recruiting over the last two years. ‘23 and ‘24 class were great.

WR and DT are the only NEEDS in my opinion this year and I think they will throw big money to get quality players at each position.

WR (possibly 2), DT (possibly 2), and likely a CB (Nickel).

Supposedly ND has a WR lined up already.

Not sure they turn down a Rod Heard type either. Edge is possible if others can’t recover quickly enough. I could see a blocking TE/H-back type if they feel it helps them.

Edited December 6, 2024Dec 6 by Big23Head

21 minutes ago, Big23Head said:

WR (possibly 2), DT (possibly 2), and likely a CB (Nickel).

Supposedly ND has a WR lined up already.

Not sure they turn down a Rod Heard type either. Edge is possible if others can’t recover quickly enough. I could see a blocking TE/H-back type if they feel it helps them.

I agree. This seems like ND’s yearly portal “shopping list” so to speak. Good idea on the new age fullback too. Penn State has really proven that positions versatility with Tyler Warren.

42 minutes ago, Big23Head said:

WR (possibly 2), DT (possibly 2), and likely a CB (Nickel).

Supposedly ND has a WR lined up already.

Not sure they turn down a Rod Heard type either. Edge is possible if others can’t recover quickly enough. I could see a blocking TE/H-back type if they feel it helps them.

Ayomanor from Stanford?

Have you heard anything on Curt Neal from Wisconsin. I know his name was mentioned that ND is interested in.

Likely to get a FG kicker too. From what I have heard this kid they just signed to the 25 class is more of a kickoff specialist than FGs. Or was it the other way around? Shit, whichever it was, I know they mentioned he’s a specialist for one or the other and would likely be getting the other kicker from the portal.

Hopefully they can walk and chew gum at the same time. Players are lining up visits as we speak. We can't fall behind