As the dust settles on the college football transfer portal’s winter window, Notre Dame finds itself right in the thick of the action-and not just in terms of headlines. Four incoming Fighting Irish players earned spots on CBS Sports’ Top 100 Transfer Portal Rankings, a clear sign that Marcus Freeman and his staff are reloading with purpose. There’s also one notable departure, as a former quarterback heads to the SEC for a fresh start.
Let’s break down the talent heading to South Bend-and what it means for the Irish on both sides of the ball.
No. 18 - DT Tionne Gray (Oregon ➝ Notre Dame)
At 6-foot-6 and tipping the scales north of 330 pounds, Tionne Gray isn’t just a big body-he’s a force of nature in the middle of the defensive line. After limited action as a redshirt freshman at Oregon, Gray now steps into a system that’s tailor-made for his blend of size and athleticism.
Marcus Freeman’s defense has been looking for a disruptive interior presence, and Gray could be that guy. Think of him as a space-eater with the agility to do more than just plug gaps-he can collapse pockets and command double-teams.
If he hits his stride, opposing offensive lines are going to have their hands full.
No. 45 - WR Quincy Porter (Ohio State ➝ Notre Dame)
Porter arrives in South Bend as a former five-star recruit from the Class of 2025, and while his time at Ohio State was short on snaps, the talent is undeniable. At 6-foot-3 with the kind of athleticism that jumps off the screen, Porter fills a major need for Notre Dame following the departure of wideout Malachi Fields.
The Irish have been searching for a dynamic boundary receiver who can win one-on-one matchups and stretch the field vertically-Porter checks those boxes. He’s raw, sure, but the upside here is sky-high.
No. 53 - DT Francis Brewu (Pitt ➝ Notre Dame)
Notre Dame didn’t just land one top-tier defensive tackle-they got two. Francis Brewu joins Gray to form what could be one of the most impactful interior duos in the country.
Brewu brings a different flavor to the line: he’s more compact, quicker off the snap, and plays with a relentless motor. New defensive line coach Charlie Partridge now has a thunder-and-lightning combo to rotate up front, giving the Irish flexibility and power in the trenches.
Brewu’s tape at Pitt showed a player who lives in the backfield-expect him to be a problem on third downs.
No. 60 - DE Keon Keeley (Alabama ➝ Notre Dame)
This one’s a reunion of sorts. Keon Keeley was once committed to Notre Dame before flipping to Alabama, but now he’s back in the fold-and the Irish are getting a potential game-changer off the edge.
The former No. 1 defensive prospect in the Class of 2023 brings length, burst, and a closing speed that makes quarterbacks nervous. He’s coming off a strong finish to his season in Tuscaloosa, and with Marcus Freeman at the helm, Keeley has a chance to develop into the pass-rushing menace Notre Dame has been craving.
If he puts it all together, he could be a centerpiece of this defense for years to come.
No. 80 - QB Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame ➝ Kentucky)
On the flip side, Notre Dame did lose one familiar face to the portal: quarterback Kenny Minchey. After losing the starting job to CJ Carr last offseason, Minchey heads to Kentucky where he’ll link up with new head coach Will Stein.
The Tennessee native brings plenty of arm talent and upside, and he could be a strong fit in Stein’s offensive system. While the Irish are moving forward with Carr, Minchey’s departure is a reminder of how competitive the quarterback room has become in South Bend.
Portal Activity Around Notre Dame’s 2026 Opponents
The Irish aren’t the only ones making noise in the portal. Two of their 2026 opponents also had players featured in CBS Sports’ Top 100.
- BYU linebacker Cade Uluave, coming from Cal, landed at No. 64 overall. He’ll be a name to watch when the Cougars face off with Notre Dame.
- Miami, who the Irish will meet on November 7, had a whopping six players on the list, including: Edge rusher Damon Wilson (No.
- Quarterback Darien Mensah (No.
- Defensive lineman Keona Davis (No.
- Wide receivers Cooper Barkate (No. 89) and Vandrevious Jacobs (No.
- Safety Omar Thornton (No.
That’s a serious infusion of talent for the Hurricanes-and a matchup that’s suddenly looking a lot more intriguing.
Notable Absences Raise Eyebrows
Interestingly, two Notre Dame players were left off the CBS Sports list despite strong cases for inclusion.
- Josh Burnham, a defensive line transfer, has been one of the more productive and versatile edge defenders available this cycle. Yet, he’s still flying under the radar-even as he suits up for the Indiana Hoosiers. Don’t be surprised if that omission looks like a miss come fall.
- Mylan Graham, another wide receiver addition, also didn’t crack the Top 100. The Indiana native caught six passes for 93 yards last season at Ohio State-modest numbers, but his skill set suggests there’s more in the tank. He’ll join Porter in South Bend, giving the Irish another potential weapon on the perimeter.
Final Word
Notre Dame’s transfer portal haul is shaping up to be one of the most impactful in the country-not just in quantity, but in quality. With four players ranked in CBS Sports’ Top 100, including two high-upside defensive linemen and a pair of explosive athletes on the edge and at receiver, Marcus Freeman is building a roster that’s deeper, faster, and more dynamic across the board.
The 2026 season is still months away, but the pieces are coming together. And if these portal pickups live up to their billing, the Irish could be looking at a defense with bite and an offense with serious firepower.