Notre Dame RB Gi’Bran Payne Enters Transfer Portal After Injury-Interrupted Career
Gi’Bran Payne is looking for a fresh start. The Notre Dame running back officially entered the NCAA transfer portal Friday evening, announcing the move on his Instagram. After three seasons in South Bend - including a 2024 campaign lost to injury - Payne is exploring new opportunities to continue his college football journey.
Payne’s time at Notre Dame was marked by flashes of potential, situational value, and ultimately, a tough break with injury. A member of the 2022 recruiting class, he appeared in 29 games for the Irish, including all 12 contests in the 2023 season.
Over that span, he logged 56 carries for 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also chipped in as a pass-catcher, hauling in nine receptions for 58 yards and two more scores.
While those numbers don’t leap off the stat sheet, they don’t tell the full story of Payne’s role in the Irish backfield. In 2023, he carved out a niche as a short-yardage and goal-line option, often entering the game in key downs - even ahead of lead back Audric Estime and promising freshman Jeremiyah Love at times. It was a testament to the coaching staff’s trust in his physicality and decision-making in tight spaces.
Unfortunately, just as he seemed poised to build on that role, Payne’s 2024 season was wiped out by a torn ACL. The injury not only sidelined him for the year, but also put a pause on any momentum he was building within the offense.
Payne’s college career began with a twist. He originally signed with Indiana in December 2021, recruited by then-Hoosiers running backs coach Deland McCullough. But after being released from that letter of intent in March 2022, Payne followed McCullough to Notre Dame, committing to the Irish a month later.
Coming out of high school, Payne was a consensus four-star prospect and a sought-after talent. He held 18 reported scholarship offers, including from bluebloods like Alabama and Big Ten mainstays such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. His high school tape showed a versatile back with good vision, burst, and the ability to contribute in the passing game - traits that earned him national attention and made him a valuable addition to Notre Dame’s 2022 class.
Now, with a degree from Notre Dame expected this spring and two seasons of eligibility potentially remaining - thanks to a redshirt in 2022 and a medical hardship waiver for 2024 - Payne becomes an intriguing name in the transfer portal. He’s a veteran presence with Power Five experience, a proven ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game, and the kind of maturity that comes from navigating both opportunity and adversity.
Wherever he lands next, Payne brings with him a strong foundation - both on and off the field. And for programs looking to add depth, leadership, and a back who’s been through the grind of big-time college football, he could be a valuable pickup.
We’ll be keeping an eye on where Payne’s next chapter takes him.