As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team enters the offseason, several key storylines are emerging, with major developments concerning the transfer portal, roster updates, and recruiting.
The transfer portal is once again a hot topic for Notre Dame as the program seeks to bolster its roster for the upcoming season. With college football’s increasing reliance on the portal, the Fighting Irish have already made moves to enhance various positions.
On offense, Notre Dame has been active, particularly at quarterback. The Irish are looking to solidify their signal-caller situation after the departure of senior QB Sam Hartman, who transferred in from Wake Forest in 2023. In the portal, Notre Dame is targeting quarterbacks who can either provide immediate competition or depth to the position. Several names have been linked to the program, and Head Coach Marcus Freeman is reportedly prioritizing finding a dual-threat quarterback to complement the existing talent on the roster.
On the defensive side, the Irish are looking to add depth to their linebacker and secondary positions. With several players departing and others considering NFL Draft aspirations, Notre Dame is hoping to shore up its defense by bringing in experienced players who can contribute immediately.
Roster changes are inevitable during the offseason, with several key players departing for the NFL, graduation, or transfers, but some exciting additions are in the works as well.
One of the most significant updates is the decision of offensive lineman Joe Alt to declare for the NFL Draft. Alt was a standout player for Notre Dame over the past few seasons and is widely regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. His departure leaves a gap, but it also opens the door for younger players to step up and prove their worth.
The defensive side of the ball also saw some changes, with standout linebacker JD Bertrand and defensive end Rylie Mills both announcing their intentions to enter the NFL Draft. Bertrand, who was a leader on the defense, will be tough to replace, but the Irish have young talent at linebacker that could step into starting roles. Defensive back Benjamin Morrison also had a breakout season and has been widely regarded as a potential future first-round pick. However, as of now, he has not declared for the draft, and it’s something that will be closely watched in the coming months.
The recruiting class for Notre Dame is another area of significant focus. The 2025 class has the potential to be one of the best in recent years, with several highly-rated recruits already committed. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff have continued to build momentum, and the coaching staff’s emphasis on defensive recruits is evident.
Defensive linemen, linebackers, and secondary players are high on the Irish’s radar as they work to continue developing a strong, dynamic defense to complement their offensive growth. Quarterback recruiting is also at the forefront, with Notre Dame making a push to secure a top-tier signal-caller for the 2025 class.
With the addition of several high-profile recruits and continued momentum in the portal, Notre Dame’s roster is set to evolve during the offseason. Freeman’s ability to balance player development, both through the portal and high school recruiting, will be crucial for the program’s long-term success. The team’s emphasis on a balanced approach, with a solid defense to complement a potent offense, will remain the foundation of their strategy moving forward.
In sum, Notre Dame’s offseason promises to be an exciting period of roster evolution, with key roster updates, transfer portal additions, and an eye on building a strong 2025 recruiting class.
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