After a quiet start to the transfer portal cycle, Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman found their stride-and fast. The Irish didn’t land a single player during the portal’s opening week, but once the first domino fell, the rest followed quickly.
In the end, Freeman brought in seven transfers-not a massive haul by national standards, but a targeted, efficient one. And when you look at what the Irish lost-14 players, most of whom weren’t major contributors-that seven looks even more strategic.
This wasn’t about stockpiling bodies. It was about finding guys who can step in and make a difference right away.
And that’s exactly what Notre Dame got. Let’s break down three newcomers who could be impact players from day one in South Bend.
WR Quincy Porter - A Speed Injection for a Thin Receiver Room
If there’s one area where Notre Dame needed immediate help, it was wide receiver-and they got it with Quincy Porter. The former five-star recruit spent just one season at Ohio State, where he saw limited action (four catches for 59 yards), but don’t let the stat line fool you. Porter’s game is built on speed and separation, and his 14.8 yards per catch average shows the kind of vertical threat he can be.
With Malachi Fields off to the NFL, the Irish were left with a receiver room that lacked both experience and explosive playmaking. Porter changes that.
He’s not just a depth piece-he’s a legitimate option to start and stretch the field alongside quarterback CJ Carr, who’s expected to push the ball downfield more in 2026. Porter’s blend of athleticism and pedigree could make him a breakout candidate in Year 1 in South Bend.
EDGE Keon Keeley - A Familiar Face with Something to Prove
Keon Keeley’s return to Notre Dame feels like a full-circle moment. The former five-star EDGE was once committed to the Irish before flipping to Alabama late in the recruiting process. Now, after a stint in Tuscaloosa where he recorded 16 tackles and three sacks, Keeley is back-and ready to show Notre Dame fans what they missed.
This is a huge addition for a Notre Dame defensive line that struggled to generate consistent pressure last season. Keeley brings size, strength, and a high motor off the edge, and he’ll have every opportunity to earn a starting role right away. His familiarity with the program, even if it’s just from his recruiting days, gives him a unique connection to the fan base-and a little extra motivation to make an impact.
CB Jayden Sanders - Speed and Versatility in the Secondary
Jayden Sanders is the kind of under-the-radar pickup that could pay big dividends. The former Michigan cornerback played in all 13 games as a true freshman, racking up 23 tackles (16 solo) and showing flashes of the athleticism that made him a three-sport star in high school.
Notre Dame’s secondary made strides in 2025, and Sanders adds another layer of talent and depth. His speed and instincts make him a strong candidate to contribute early, especially with the Irish still in the process of hiring a new defensive backs coach.
Regardless of who takes over that role, Sanders has the tools to thrive. He’s young, he’s fast, and he’s already proven he can handle the speed of the college game.
Final Word
Marcus Freeman didn’t go for volume in the portal-he went for fit. And in a year where the Irish are looking to take a big step forward, these three transfers could be key pieces. Porter gives the offense a much-needed vertical threat, Keeley brings juice to the pass rush, and Sanders adds speed and versatility to a secondary on the rise.
Seven transfers might not turn heads at first glance, but if these three hit the ground running, Notre Dame’s 2026 season could be shaped as much by who came in as by who left.