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Notre Dame Football: Irish Linebacker Transfers to UConn

By Daniel Morrison

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Moe Neal #21 of the Syracuse Orange reaches for the end zone on a run but would fall short against the Connecticut Huskies during the third quarter at the Carrier Dome on September 22, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Connecticut 51-21. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Moe Neal #21 of the Syracuse Orange reaches for the end zone on a run but would fall short against the Connecticut Huskies during the third quarter at the Carrier Dome on September 22, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Connecticut 51-21. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football lost a graduate transfer linebacker in DJ Morgan on Monday. What does his absence mean for Notre Dame in 2019?

On Monday, Notre Dame football linebacker DJ Morgan announced on twitter he would be transferring to UConn. Many may have thought that was an April Fool’s Day joke, but it looks like it wasn’t. Morgan is making the jump from a College Football Playoff team, to a team that was lucky to beat FCS Rhode Island.

The move doesn’t make sense on the surface. Under Brian Kelly, Notre Dame defenses have been known as stingy defenses, and the strength of the team. In 2018, the Irish ranked 30th in total defense, allowing 347.4 yards per game. That’s a fairly strong defense. Given the amount of turnover at the position, with players like Drue Tranquill moving on, it seems that it would be Morgan’s turn to see a lot of time in the middle of the Irish defense.

Morgan doesn’t just leave a strong defense. He also joins the worst defense in college football, possibly ever. UConn was 130th (dead last) in total defense. The Huskies gave up a cool 617.4 yards per game. That’s nearly 300 yards worse than Notre Dame per game. UConn’s scoring defense was also abysmal. That makes sense when you’re letting teams walk over you, up and down the field. Still, the Huskies letting up 50.4 points per game is shockingly bad, and good for worst in the FBS.

Visibility at UConn is much different than at Notre Dame. Every week, Notre Dame will be on NBC. If they’re not, it’s because a network like ABC picked up the game. UConn rarely makes it to cable, and never in prime time. If the Huskies made it to cable, it was for everyone to watch a team like UCF or Boise St beat them down in 2018. Now, when the AAC’s new media deal comes into effect in 2020. That will put more games on the ESPN family of networks, but it will put the undesirable teams in the conference behind a paywall. UConn will be behind a paywall for a long time.

Morgan has two years of eligibility left, and will be able to play right away. That’s because he has graduated. Grad transfers don’t face the same transfer rules that force most players to red shirt a season.

That playing time is no doubt the reason Morgan is leaving Notre Dame. UConn’s defense needs help, and Morgan really hasn’t seen the field at Notre Dame. He has his degree from Notre Dame, and can now pursue a master’s degree while seeing the field.

While it seems there are openings for Notre Dame at linebacker, Morgan must not have been advancing into those roles. Otherwise, you’d assume he would stay with the Irish for the next two seasons. Notre Dame is merely losing depth on defense with this transfer. If the injury bug hits, the defense could be in trouble.

Next. Jackie Young's Second Half Heroics Propel Irish to Final Four. dark

Still, good luck to DJ Morgan going forward at UConn.

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