Defensive back transfer target visiting Notre Dame football

While Riley Leonard and his new wide receivers have gotten the most attention when talking about the transfer players that Notre Dame football has landed, Al Golden has also gotten some new toys to play with, in 2024.

It appears that the Fighting Irish aren't done revamping the roster just yet. In fact, Golden is looking to add at least one more important piece in the form of former Northwestern defensive back Rod Heard II.

The former Wildcat is expected to be in South Bend this coming weekend. There's some hope that a visit to town means that Heard II will commit and join what is an impressive group of weapons for the Notre Dame football team this offseason.

Of course, if the Golden Domers are going to haul in Heard at some point, they're going to need to fight off some old rivals. The defensive back is expected to consider both the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.

Either one of those schools could hold a bit more pull if only because it would mean the former Wildcat would stay in the Big Ten. For a defensive player of his caliber, some familiarity with the teams he's going up against and the players he's facing off against could be important.

Notre Dame football looking to bring in another transfer defender

One big factor that could come into where Heard ends up is what position he wants to play next season. While he's mostly been a nickel cornerback in his career, it's almost a certainty he'd play safety for the Irish.

That means he'd pair up with All-World safety Xavier Watts, who recently announced he would return for one more season. Meanwhile, Arizona State graduate transfer Jordan Clark will step into the nickelback position.

If the Notre Dame football team is able to add Rod Heard II, it would make a solid secondary downright scary. The former Wildcat recorded 85 tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble in 2023.