Notre Dame football: Irish land 3 top transfer prospects

With 247Sports’ latest edition of their transfer portal prospects ranked in the top 150, Notre Dame football landed three, including a top 5 player. The 5th ranked player in the portal is new Notre Dame football quarterback Sam Hartman, formerly of Wake Forest. I’m shocked a quarterback that could do so much for a truly great program wasn’t 1st overall, but we’ll take it.

Hartman is the ACC’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and will bring his talents to South Bend next year to lead the squad, presumably. While he will still have to beat out Tyler Buchner for the starting position, he should have it all but locked up.

The other players to make the top 150, according to 247Sports’ Clint Brewster, were wide receiver Kaleb Smith and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste rated 91st and 114th respectively. Both should bring considerable upside and experience to much-needed positions for the Notre Dame football program.

Kaleb Smith is a veteran receiver and graduate student for this Notre Dame football program and will provide said needed experience. Outside of Jayden Thomas, Lorenzo Styles, and Deion Colzie, the Irish lack game reps at the WR position. Jean-Baptiste is in the same boat as an experienced graduate transfer.

In Smith’s case, he was able to put up big numbers and be one of the focal points of his team last season, with 674 receiving yards on the year. Javontae is a highly talented player and grades well according to his 79.6 PFF grade. However, he needs a shot to show what he can do; he should get that chance with this Notre Dame football squad.

The Irish got a ton of solid talent out of the portal, and it doesn’t stop there, as they secured a transfer punter and place kicker as well. Ben Krimm and Spencer Shrader should be very helpful next season for the Irish. Of course, having one of the portal’s best players helps.