Notre Dame might have started slow in the 2026 transfer portal race, but they certainly finished with a bang, bringing in a dynamic group of players on both sides of the ball. Under the guidance of Marcus Freeman, the Irish secured key talent at wide receiver, defensive line, cornerback, and even got a significant upgrade at kicker. While several new faces are expected to make an impact, ESPN has spotlighted one standout addition.
ESPN's college football expert Max Olson identified the top transfer portal pickups for each preseason Top 25 team, with Notre Dame sitting at No. 3 in those rankings. Olson's pick for the Irish's top acquisition is defensive tackle Tionne Gray, who transferred from Oregon and was the final position player to commit to Notre Dame in this cycle.
Gray, a towering 6-6, 336-pound lineman, made a name for himself as one of the top defensive linemen available, having started three games during his redshirt freshman year with the Ducks. Despite playing a rotational role, he managed to rack up 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, and even blocked a field goal. Notre Dame is banking on Gray to step up and become a cornerstone of their defensive front, joining other high-profile transfers like Francis Brewu from Pitt and Keon Keeley from Alabama.
Securing Gray was a major win for Notre Dame, both in terms of size and skill. His ability to dominate at the point of attack is exactly what the Irish have been seeking. While he was mainly a gap-filler at Oregon, his athletic prowess suggests he can thrive in a more aggressive defensive scheme like Notre Dame's.
Although Gray is a strong contender for the top portal pickup, Brewu also deserves recognition. Brewu, an honorable mention All-ACC performer in 2025, is a proven force with 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a sack under his belt. His performance against Notre Dame last season was one of the best by an interior lineman.
Beyond the defensive line, the Irish have bolstered their secondary with cornerbacks DJ McKinney from Colorado and Jayden Sanders from Michigan. Both are poised to make significant contributions in 2026.
In terms of eligibility, McKinney has one season left, while Brewu and Keeley have two. Gray and Sanders have three seasons remaining, and kicker Spencer Porath from Purdue has two. Wide receivers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, both from Ohio State, have three and four seasons of eligibility, respectively.
Notre Dame's strategic moves in the transfer portal have set the stage for a promising season, with new talent ready to make their mark. Keep an eye on these players as they look to elevate the Irish to new heights.