Notre Dame football loses transfer DB target to ACC rival

Ever since Benjamin Morrison went down with injury this spring, the Notre Dame football has been trying to find ways to make sure the Irish have plenty of depth in the secondary. However, one of their plans to make sure they've got enough bodies if Morrison can't be ready for the fall, has fallen through.

Earlier this spring, Marcus Freeman and company went after Rice transfer defensive back Tre’shon Devones. The veteran corner even visited South Bend and claimed he liked what he saw and heard from the coaching staff.

However, earlier this week, it appears that Devones heard more of what he liked from one of Notre Dame's chief rivals in the ACC. Devones announced he'd decided to transfer from Rice to the Duke Blue Devils.

"The Golden Domers are tight on roster numbers and will in fact need to shave a few bodies before fall camp to get down to 85 scholarship players."

The decision means that instead of playing for Notre Dame this fall, he'll be in Durham, North Carolina. Such is the danger of the transfer portal in this new era of players jumping around from one squad to another. The Irish of course, know those dangers but it's still got to be a bit frustrating that someone they targeted went to a conference rival.

Notre Dame football didn't have a starting spot available

While the former Rice veteran would have been a nice addition for a team a bit worried about depth, it became clear that the Irish knew there was a decent chance Devones wasn't coming. In fact, Notre Dame has shifted its recruiting priorities a bit.

The Golden Domers are tight on roster numbers and will in fact need to shave a few bodies before fall camp to get down to 85 scholarship players. That's why Marcus Freeman and company are now shopping for transfers willing to come as walk-ons. 

With NIL money, that no longer means they have to pay their own way and could be more attractive landing spot. 

The good news here is that Notre Dame football won't face off against Devones as the Blue Devils aren't on the 2024 schedule.