In a college football landscape defined by momentum and narrative, Notre Dame’s pursuit of Devan Thompkins from the USC transfer portal wouldn’t just be a smart roster move, it would be a statement. With his production, size, and trajectory as an interior defensive lineman, Thompkins represents exactly the kind of player Notre Dame needs to reinforce an inconsistent defensive front. On top of that, luring a key USC contributor away from a historic rival that recently chose an easier path to playoff relevance would be sweet vindication.
Who Is Devan Thompkins?
Devan Thompkins is a 6‑foot‑5, 290‑pound defensive tackle who spent his collegiate career at USC. Listed as a redshirt junior, he has entered the transfer portal after three seasons with the Trojans. Across his time in Los Angeles, Thompkins evolved from a developmental project into a multi‑year starter and reliable interior presence.
His 2025 performance was his best statistical season:
- 31 tackles, 18 solo
- 3 sacks
- 1 forced fumble
- 2 pass breakups
Those numbers built on a 2024 season with 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks, ending his USC career with roughly 56 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and five pass breakups.
Physically, he has elite size and length for the interior, a critical trait for commanding double teams and anchoring the point of attack against both run and pass.
What he means for USC and what Notre Dame could gain
At USC, Thompkins represented more than raw stats. He was a developed player who embodied the Trojans’ schematic flexibility. Initially a basketball athlete converted to defensive line, he grew into a versatile interior defender capable of defending inside and moving laterally against spread-to-power fronts.
USC’s 2025 season, a respectable 9‑3 finish with a bowl berth, still exposed some defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against the run. Thompkins was part of a defensive rotation that, while improved, still conceded significant yardage up the middle and struggled at times to generate consistent pressure without blitzing.
For Notre Dame, whose defense under coordinator Chris Ash has occasionally sputtered in the trench battles, Thompkins would be an immediate upgrade, not just depth, but a front-line contender to stabilize the interior defensive line.
Why Devan Thompkins is a perfect fit for Chris Ash’s system
Ash’s defensive philosophy prioritizes discipline, gap integrity, and explosive disruption up the middle, exactly the traits Thompkins has shown he can deliver. Here’s how Thompkins elevates Notre Dame’s defense:
Size and Run-Stopping Ability
Notre Dame’s defense has struggled to consistently outmuscle interior offensive lines, especially late in games. Thompkins’ size combined with his ability to clog gaps and absorb double teams would free linebackers to make plays. His presence helps enforce two-gap responsibility, a staple of Ash’s scheme.
Pass Rush from the Interior
Three sacks in 2025 may not leap off the page, but context matters. Interior linemen in Ash’s system aren’t solely judged by sacks. They’re measured by pressure rate and disruption, and Thompkins’ 2025 role showed his comfort as both a bull-rusher and a stuffer, allowing edge rushers and linebackers to capitalize.
Leadership and Maturity
By his junior year, Thompkins was a trusted starter and voice in the locker room at USC. Adding a temperamentally mature and workmanlike player to Notre Dame’s front would help cultivate depth and culture, particularly important as the Irish retool after departures and scheme tweaks.
Beyond Xs and Os, there’s an emotional subtext worth mentioning. USC recently made headlines by pivoting away from the traditional Notre Dame rivalry, opting instead to chase playoff relevance with what some perceived as a softer scheduling path. That move sparked frustration among Irish fans who value tradition and competitive grit.
Landing Thompkins, a starter and contributor from USC’s own defense, would symbolically represent Notre Dame not just competing with USC, but taking from them. It would be one thing for Irish fans to defeat the Trojans on the field, it’s another to co-opt one of their own contributors, a narrative win that could boost Notre Dame’s recruiting cachet in the region and send a message about Irish competitiveness.