After a slow start that even Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged was frustrating, the Fighting Irish have been on quite a heater this week. That heater continued on Thursday when the program added Tionne Gray.
Gray, a defensive lineman who spent the last two years with the Oregon Ducks, is at a position of great need for ND. The Irish have been trying to beef up a defensive line that's losing some talent this year. Gray certainly fits that bill.
The 6-foot-6, 336-pounder has three years of eligibility remaining after two seasons in Eugene. That, of course, means that Notre Dame could help Gray develop and get even better. His size already makes him someone the Irish will lean on to fill up the middle against the run in 2026.
Notre Dame adds defensive lineman Tionne Gray as portal surge continues
As On3's Mike Singer reported, Gray's commitment to the Irish came despite a misdirect from the player himself on Wednesday. Gray posted "What school should I visit next?" on Twitter, but won't be visiting another school after all. Insiders believed that Missouri might be a top contender for the defensive lineman's services before he pledged to Freeman and his crew.
Freeman may have given a misdirect on Wednesday as well. During his first press conference since National Signing Day, the head coach talked quite a bit like they might be done with Transfer Portal shopping. While he never said it outright, it sounded like a closing argument rather than someone who was still looking for more additions.
Most impressive for Notre Dame isn't just that it has been on a hot streak this week, but the staff has done an excellent job of filling obvious holes in the roster. Now with Tionne Gray in the fold, the program might indeed be finished and ready to focus on spring practice.