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Notre Dame football: Irish eyeing new transfer portal targets

By Tyler Kruse

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 4: Jalen Catalon #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks walks onto the field before a game against the Rice Owls at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on September 4, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Owls 38-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 4: Jalen Catalon #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks walks onto the field before a game against the Rice Owls at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on September 4, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Owls 38-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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With Notre Dame football finishing its season with a Gator Bowl win, we look to which positions the team should focus on in the transfer portal. Of course, they’ll need to replace some massive production on the defensive line, but that’s not the only position of need.

Notre Dame football: Defensive line targets

We’ve written that Rondell Bothroyd makes the most sense for the Irish to target along the defensive line. While he has dealt with his fair share of injuries, joining Sam Hartman, should he commit to Notre Dame, would make sense for both parties. Notre Dame needs to replace a lot of production up front, especially with Foskey and the Ademilola brothers leaving.

Another target for the Irish appears to be Utah State transfer and edge rusher Byron Vaughns. Vaughns tweeted that he had received an offer from the program, but the Irish aren’t the only team interested, as USC, Houston, ASU, and others have offered. Over the last two seasons, Vaughns has tallied 100 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Notre Dame could use that type of production at the Vyper position.

Notre Dame football: Safety target

With the Irish bringing in a few talented safeties in the class of 2023, the future is bright. However, with Brandon Joseph announcing his intentions to head to the NFL, the team could use immediate help at the position. According to Tom Loy of 247Sports, Jalen Catalon is a guy the Irish have their sights on.

Catalon has also dealt with his fair share of injuries throughout his collegiate career. While only rated as the 26th-best safety out of high school, Catalon has proven his worth at the position. During his time at Arkansas, he had 159 total tackles, 5 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections in parts of just 18 games. Again, injuries have played a significant factor in his career, but he has the chops to be an NFL safety. He was a first-team all-SEC selection in 2020, his only full year of football.

The Irish would be fortunate to land any transfer prospects mentioned above. However, each of them would significantly boost the Irish defense.

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