As Notre Dame turns the page on a season that didn’t end with the playoff berth many expected, the focus inside the program has already shifted from postseason prep to portal strategy and long-term roster building. It’s not the December the Irish envisioned when they sat at 10-2, but with no bowl game on the horizon, the coaching staff has something just as valuable: time. And in today’s college football landscape, time in December means a head start in the transfer portal - and that’s where Notre Dame is now looking to capitalize.
The Portal Plan: Strategic, Not Reactionary
Notre Dame’s approach to the portal has never been about chasing headlines or loading up on short-term fixes. The Irish have consistently leaned on high school recruiting and player development as the foundation of their roster, using the portal to patch holes rather than build the house. That strategy has paid off more often than not.
Look no further than the recent additions who’ve made real impacts: wide receivers Malachai Fields and Will Pauling brought stability to a position that had been shaky following recruiting misses late in Del Alexander’s tenure. In the secondary, Devonta Smith, Jordan Clark, and Thomas Harper each stepped into the nickel role in Al Golden’s defense and performed seamlessly. And at quarterback, the Irish turned to Jack Coan, Sam Hartman, and Riley Leonard to bridge the gap after a rough stretch of recruiting at the position - a stretch that finally gave way to homegrown talent this year with CJ Carr.
Heading into 2026, Notre Dame’s roster is in strong shape. Most positions are solid, if not flat-out loaded.
The only known departure so far is quarterback Kenny Minchey, who was expected to move on after losing the starting job to Carr this past summer. At most spots, Notre Dame can afford to be selective.
But there’s one glaring exception.
Defensive Tackle: The Portal Priority
If there’s one area that demands immediate attention, it’s defensive tackle. Unlike other positions where the Irish can be opportunistic, this one’s a need - not a luxury.
The biggest variable here is Jason Onye. His future remains uncertain, as he could be granted an additional year of eligibility.
If he returns, it gives Notre Dame a dependable veteran presence in the middle. If not, the Irish will need to find not one, but likely two plug-and-play interior linemen through the portal.
Onye started nine games this season and quietly became one of the most reliable pieces on the defensive front. His 78.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second among Notre Dame’s interior linemen, and he finished the year strong - posting a 70.0+ grade in all but one game down the stretch after a slower start. That kind of late-season surge gives the staff hope he could anchor the unit next year, but it all hinges on whether he’s granted that extra year.
Onye missed most of 2024 due to personal matters, which could open the door for a medical hardship waiver. If he’s back, the Irish would likely roll out a top rotation of Onye and Donovan Hinish - a solid one-two punch. Without him, though, the urgency to land help in the portal ramps up significantly.
What’s in the Cupboard? Internal Options Exist - But Are Unproven
There are in-house candidates ready to take on bigger roles, but none are proven anchors just yet.
Elijah Hughes, the USC transfer, showed real promise in 2025. He logged 264 snaps and earned a strong 76.1 PFF grade, suggesting he’s more than just a depth piece - he could be a real contributor.
Armel Mukam is another name to watch. Though he saw limited snaps this season, he’s steadily added size and strength since arriving in South Bend and could be ready to step forward.
Then there’s the youth movement. Cole Mullins, Gordy Sulfsted, Davion Dixon, and Sean Sevillano Jr. all wrapped up their freshman seasons and will be in the mix this spring.
There’s talent in that group, no doubt. But relying entirely on internal development at defensive tackle is a gamble - and it’s not one Notre Dame seems likely to take.
If the Irish can find a veteran interior lineman in the portal who can step in and play right away - think Jared Dawson this past season - they’ll absolutely make that move.
Why It’s So Hard to Find Portal DTs - and Why the Right One Could Elevate the Defense
Here’s the challenge: proven defensive tackles don’t exactly flood the portal. This isn’t wide receiver or running back, where talent is abundant and turnover is constant. Interior defensive linemen with experience and production are rare commodities - and they don’t come cheap.
Notre Dame was fortunate to land both Dawson and Hughes in the last cycle. Replicating that success will be critical if this defense is going to reach its full potential.
On paper, the Irish project to be elite across the board in 2026 - particularly in the secondary, at linebacker, and off the edge. That’s assuming they can keep key draft-eligible players like Adon Shuler, Drayk Bowen, and Boubacar Traore in the fold. But even with those pieces returning, defensive tackle remains the one spot where Notre Dame could fall short of national title expectations without reinforcements.
The ideal scenario? Onye returns, and the Irish add a disruptive, high-ceiling tackle through the portal - someone who can do more than just hold the line. Dawson was very good this past season, but if Notre Dame can land someone who brings even more interior pressure and presence, it could raise the entire ceiling of the defense.
And let’s be honest: for the right player, this is a dream setup. A defensive tackle would walk into a unit stacked with talent at every level, meaning plenty of one-on-one matchups and a great chance to boost their draft stock.
Yes, the NIL market for top-tier DTs is competitive. But the opportunity in South Bend is real.
The Bottom Line
Notre Dame doesn’t need a full-scale overhaul this offseason. Most of the roster is championship-caliber.
But defensive tackle is the one spot that could make or break a true title run in 2026. The Irish know it - and the portal will be the proving ground.
If they can land the right guy, this defense could go from excellent to elite. And if they get a little help from the waiver process with Onye?
Even better. Either way, the message is clear: the road to next year’s College Football Playoff might just go straight through the middle of Notre Dame’s defensive line.