Notre Dame had quite the slow start in the Transfer Portal as it felt like every player head coach Marcus Freeman went after ended up picking another school. It took the Irish an entire week of the portal being open to land a transfer, and then suddenly, it was like the floodgates opened.
Freeman ended up bringing in seven guys from the portal, which may not sound like a lot compared to some programs, but in all honesty, Notre Dame only lost 14 guys to the portal, and most of them were ones that did not have a lot of snaps in South Bend. Freeman was able to bring in guys that should make an immediate impact for the Irish in the 2026 season, which is a big one for Notre Dame.
With only seven guys, each one has a chance to be gamechangers for Freeman and the Irish in 2026, but here are three players who have the chance to totally shine right away.
WR Quincy Porter
Wide receiver Quincy Porter is one of two Ohio State wide receivers to make their way to South Bend from the Transfer Portal. The former Buckeyes pass catcher had just one season in Columbus and had only four receptions for 59 yards, and averaged 14.8 yards per catch.
Porter will bring speed and a great pass-catching ability to South Bend, especially to a thin wide receiver room. With the loss of Malachi Fields to the 2026 NFL Draft, Porter adds immediate depth and should be able to play right away. The former five-star receiver should enjoy catching passes from quarterback CJ Carr, who is hoping to stretch the field more in 2026.
EDGE Keon Keeley
When Alabama EDGE rusher Keon Keeley transferred to Notre Dame, it felt like a coming home for the former Irish commit. Keeley was once committed to Notre Dame for a while before he de-committed and chose the Crimson Tide just days before National Signing Day.
Now back in South Bend, Keeley has the chance to show fans what they missed out on when he chose Alabama. With 16 total tackles and three sacks in his career with the Tide, Keeley will bring strength and great pressure ability to a Notre Dame line that desperately needs help.
CB Jayden Sanders
Jayden Sanders is a young cornerback coming to Notre Dame after just one season with Michigan. Even as a freshman defensive back, Sanders appeared in all 13 games with the Wolverines and is a huge pick-up for Freeman out of the portal.
Sanders had 23 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, and one pass defender in one season in Ann Arbor. As a former three-sport athlete, Sanders brings a lot of speed to a Notre Dame secondary that got a lot better as the 2025 season went on. Granted, Notre Dame is in the market for a new defensive backs coach right now, but Sanders should be able to thrive coached by anyone with his talent.