The Notre Dame football team is going to look quite different when spring practice opens in 2026. Between graduations, early departures for the NFL, and the transfer portal, there are plenty of good players going elsewhere. Defensive back Karson Hobbs will join the party when the transfer portal opens on January 2.
Hobbs didn't get a ton of playing time in South Bend. Over two seasons in the Cincinnati native recorded seven tackles, one pass deflection, and one interception. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Hobbs had a rough start to the Notre Dame football season in 2025. That tough start included a dropped interception late against Texas A&M that might have completely changed not only that game but the course of the season.
BREAKING: Notre Dame CB Karson Hobbs is entering the @TransferPortal, his agent tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 27, 2025
He’s totaled 7 tackles, 1 PD, & 1 INT in his time with the Fighting Irish
Will have 2 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/uU5ZESx707
Why Karson Hobbs is entering the transfer portal
Hobbs did improve over the course of the season, but was relegated to limited playing time as Dallas Golden replaced him on the depth chart at nickel behind DeVonta Smith.
Hobbs becomes the eighth member of the Irish expected to enter the portal next week. He's also the fourth defensive back looking for greener pastures outside of South Bend.
To some degree, the defensive backfield transfers are similar to what ND saw at the offensive line last winter. While some departures will hurt the depth, including Hobbs, part of the reason why there are four transfers is that there's plenty of depth among the corners and safeties, both returning and joining Notre Dame as true freshmen. It will still be interesting to watch where Karson Hobbs ends up once he finds a transfer destination.