InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (2024)

Table of Contents
Portal commitment (5/12): S Antonio Carter IIto Jacksonville State Portal commitment (5/12): CB Micah Bell to Vanderbilt Portal commitment (4/30): Walk-on DL Quentin Autry to Notre Dame Portal commitment (5/1): Punter Bryce McFerson to Maryland Portal commitment (4/30): Walk-on RB Jake Tafelski to Notre Dame Portal commitment (4/29): Walk-on OL Quinn Murphy to Western Michigan Portal entry (4/23): CBMicah Bell Portal entry (4/16): P Bryce McFerson Portal commitment (4/16): CB Clarence Lewis to Syracuse Portal entry (3/29): CB Clarence Lewis Portal commitment (3/12): Walk-on RBMax Hurleman to Notre Dame Portal commitment (1/21): OL Michael Carmodyto UCLA Portal commitment (1/17): S Ramon Henderson to UCLA Portal commitment (1/15): CB Ryan Barnes to UMass Portal commitment (1/10): DB Rod Heard II to Notre Dame Portal commitment (1/9): WR Jayden Harrison to Notre Dame Portal commitment (1/4): LB Nolan Ziegler to Central Michigan Portal entry(12/30): LB Nolan Ziegler Portal commitment (12/21): WR Tobias Merriweather to Cal Portal commitment (12/16): DT Aidan Keanaaina to Cal Portal commitment (12/15): WR Rico Flores Jr. to UCLA Portal commitment(12/14): TE Holden Staes to Tennessee Portal commitment(12/14): South Carolina K Mitch Jeter to Notre Dame Portal commitment(12/13): Duke DE R.J. Obento Notre Dame Portal commitment(12/12): Duke QB Riley Leonard to Notre Dame Portal entry(12/11): OL Michael Carmody Portal commitment (12/11): WR Braylon James to TCU Portal commitment (12/9): C Zeke Correll to NC State Portal commitment (12/8): OG Joey Tanona to Purdue Portal entry (11/27):Walk-on RB Skip Velotta Portal commitment (12/8): DE Nana Osafo-Mensah to TCU Portal commitment (12/5): WR Chris Tyree to Virginia Portal commitment (12/5): WR Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame Portal entry (12/4): DB Antonio Carter II Portal commitment (12/4): DB Jordan Clark to Notre Dame Portal entry (12/4): OL Joey Tanona Portal entry (12/2): CB Ryan Barnes Portal entry (12/1): WR Rico Flores Jr. Portal entry (12/1): TE Holden Staes Portal entry (11/30): S Ramon Henderson Portal entry (11/30): WR Braylon James Portal entry (11/29): WR Tobias Merriweather Portal entry (11/28): NT Aidan Keanaaina Portal entry (11/27): CZeke Correll Portal entry (11/27): WR Chris Tyree Portal entry (11/27):DE Nana Osafo-Mensah

Portal-mania for this offseason is just about over.

The spring transfer portal window opened on April 16 and closed after 15 days on April 30. Graduate transfers had one extra day, May 1, to join the portal as well. But players who entered the transfer portal during that window did not have to make their transfer destination decisions before the portal window closed.

Notre Dame's winter portal activity began even before the first 30-day window opened Dec. 4, because exceptions are made for graduate students and players on teams who have lost their head coaches.

Inside ND Sports will continue use this Portal Roundup to track all of Notre Dame’s outgoing and incoming transfers for the 2023 postseason/2024 preseason portal period.

A condensed version can be found in our Notre Dame Football Transfer Portal Tracker. Rivals also has a National Transfer Tracker with player rankings.

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Portal commitment (5/12): S Antonio Carter IIto Jacksonville State

The long wait for Antonio Carter II to exit the transfer portal is over.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back announced his commitment to Jacksonville State on Monday via Twitter/X after having spent the 2023 season at Notre Dame.

He entered the transfer portal back on Dec. 4 and had been looking for a new school since then. Carter came to Notre Dame after four seasons at FCS school Rhode Island as one of the more highly sought-after DBs nationally in the 2023 transfer portal cycle. The Irish had hoped to convert the Rams cornerback into a starting safety or at least a key rotational piece at that position group.

That never really happened as scripted. Carter did play in 10 games during Notre Dame’s regular season with most of those appearances coming on special teams and specifically ND’s kickoff coverage unit. He played 72 defensive snaps across eight games and was ND’s lowest-rated defensive player, per Pro Football Focus’ film grades.

Carter tallied eight tackles and one forced fumble in his limited roles.

At Rhode Island, Carter recorded 105 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, two sacks and one interception over his final two seasons with the Rams.

Jacksonville State, coached by Rich Rodriguez, went 9-4 overall and 6-2 in Conference USA in 2023. The Gameco*cks are scheduled to open the 2024 season at home on Aug. 29 against Coastal Carolina.

Portal commitment (5/12): CB Micah Bell to Vanderbilt

Micah Bell's transfer portal plunge not only resulted in a new school for the former Notre Dame cornerback. It may also give the 5-foot-10, 177-pound sophom*ore-to-be a new position.

Bell announced Sunday a commitment to transfer to Vanderbilt. The Commodores recruited Bell as an athlete with the potential to play wide receiver.

Bell's older brother, Dillon Bell, is entering his junior season as a wide receiver at Georgia. Dillon Bell caught 25 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs last season.

When Micah Bell played offense at Houston (Texas) Kincaid, he primarily played running back. Bell was known for his track speed in high school where he ran a 100-meter dash in 10.41 seconds. Now Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea will get to figure out how to best utilize his speed.

Visit Vandy Sports for more coverage of Bell's commitment to Vanderbilt.

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Portal commitment (4/30): Walk-on DL Quentin Autry to Notre Dame

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (1)

The latest transfer portal prospect to choose Notre Dame as his off-ramp is projected to have his past football ahead of him. And up to two years to explore that notion as a grad transfer from Columbia University being added to the Irish 2024 roster as a walk-on.

Quentin Autry made his commitment public Saturday via his Instagram account.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman shook off a season missed because of injuries and another because the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Ivy League football in 2020 to show his potential in 2023 over 10 games.

The Millhouse, N.J., product — who attended Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. — recorded 18 tackles for the Lions (3-7) in 2023, with 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two QB hurries and a fumble recovery.

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (2)

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (3)

Portal commitment (5/1): Punter Bryce McFerson to Maryland

While Notre Dame continues to look for its next starting punter, a search that's included special teams coordinator Marty Biagi traveling to Australia this week, former Irish punter Bryce McFerson found his new college home.

McFerson, who will enter his junior season in the fall, announced Wednesday his commitment to transfer to Maryland. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound McFerson has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

McFerson did not play in 2022 after a groin injury prevented him from making his debut as a kickoff specialist in the season opener. McFerson took over the starting punter role in his sophom*ore season last year.

McFerson punted 38 times in 2023 with an average of 45.1 yards per punt. Thirteen of his punts reached at least 50 yards. McFerson didn't meet the minimium of 3.6 punts per game required to qualifiy in the NCAA's official statistical rankings. His average would have been tied for 18th among those who actually qualified.

What McFerson and Notre Dame's punt coverage struggled with last season was net punting average. Notre Dame's 38.03 net punting average ranked No. 83 in the FBS. Maryland was even worse last season with a net punting average of 36.88, which ranked 100th.

Notre Dame doesn't have an obvious replacement for McFerson on the roster. Head coach Marcus Freeman said the team plans to make a roster addition to fill the role. McFerson also handled holding duties on field goals and extra points for the Irish.

Portal commitment (4/30): Walk-on RB Jake Tafelski to Notre Dame

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (4)

Former Central Michigan running back Jake Tafelski visited Notre Dame for its Blue-Gold Game earlier this month. He committed to transfer to Notre Dame as a preferred walk-on 10 days later.

Tafelski, a graduate transfer with two seasons of eligibility remaining, spent four seasons with the Chippewas but redshirted as a true freshman in 2020. The 6-foot, 220-pound product of Dearborn (Mich.) High played in 25 games at Central Michigan with most of his snaps occuring on special teams. He totaled seven carries for 21 yards and one touchdown and six receptions for 42 yards in his CMU career. He also recorded six tackles.

Tafelski should give Notre Dame some practice depth at running back and competition for playing time on special teams.

Portal commitment (4/29): Walk-on OL Quinn Murphy to Western Michigan

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (5)

Quinn Murphy spent five seasons in the Notre Dame football program as a walk-on. The 6-foot-5, 312-pound offensive lineman plans to spend his last season of NCAA eligibility at Western Michigan.

Murphy, a product of Duxbury (Mass.) High, announced his transfer portal commitment Monday night. He entered the transfer portal in February following a Notre Dame career spent mostly in the shadows.

Murphy played in just two games in his first four seasons with the Irish. He played a couple snaps on the field goal/extra point unit in a 52-0 win over South Florida in 2020. Murphy also made an appearance in the same role in a 45-32 win at North Carolina in 2022.

Murphy finished his career playing in six games as a graduate senior. He saw limited field goal/extra point work against Tennesee State, Louisville, PIttsburgh and Wake Forest. Then Murphy played 10 total offensive snaps combined, in addition to special teams, in wins over Stanford and Oregon State in the Sun Bowl to finish the 2023 season.

Murphy will reunite with Western Michigan head coach Lance Taylor and offensive line coach Trevor Mendelson in Kalamazoo, Mich. Taylor was Notre Dame's running backs coach for the first three seasons of Quinn's Irish career. Mendelson spent two seasons at Notre Dame (2021-22) as an assistant offensive line coach and a senior offensive analyst.

Portal entry (4/23): CBMicah Bell

A few weeks after changing his uniform number from 16 to 11, Notre Dame cornerback Micah Bell is apparently ready to change area codes as well.

On Tuesday, the 5-foot-10, 177-pound sophom*ore to be from Houston announced his was entering the transfer portal, adding some urgency to Notre Dame eventually landing Rice transfer cornerback Tre’shon Devones or someone like him.

Devones — a 6-foot, 186-pound grad transfer candidate — took an official visit to Notre Dame last week and is strongly considering the Irish as he takes additional visits to other schools. The presumption is that he’d compete for considerable playing time because of his experience and versatility to play both outside corner positions and the nickel position.

The Irish are loaded at the top of the depth chart at cornerback, with junior All-America candidate Ben Morrison, sophom*ore Christian Gray and junior Jaden Mickey, but the depth has thinned out with the recent transfer of Clarence Lewis (Syracuse) and now Bell’s intention to exit the roster.

That leaves junior Chance Tucker and June-enrolling freshmen Karson Hobbs and Leonard Moore as ND’s depth pieces for the outside cornerback spots. Jordan Clark transferred to ND in January and is ND’s No. 1 option at the nickel spot.

Bell, a high school track star during his Texas high school days, played in just three games — and 21 snaps — during his freshman season. So, he was able to redshirt and will bring four years of eligibility to his next destination.

He amassed just one tackle, and it was for a loss of one yard, during the 2023 season. In Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game, Bell was credited with two tackles and two pass breakups for the winning Blue Team, which defeated the Gold, 28-21, at Notre Dame Stadium.

The transfer portal remains open for underclassmen to submit their names through next Tuesday, April 30. Grad transfers are not bound by the NCAA’s portal windows.

The Irish are currently at 87 scholarship players, two over the NCAA maximum of 85.

Portal entry (4/16): P Bryce McFerson

Bryce McFerson was expected to be Notre Dame's starting punter for a second consecutive season in 2024. Instead, McFerson entered the transfer portal Tuesday on the first day of the 15-day spring window for entries.

McFerson averaged 45.1 yards per punt on 38 attempts last season with 13 reaching 50-plus yards. He didn't meet the NCAA minimum of 3.6 punts per game needed to qualify in the NCAA's official statistical rankings. His average would have been tied for 18th in the FBS if he met the threshold.

Click here for a full story on McFerson.

Portal commitment (4/16): CB Clarence Lewis to Syracuse

Clarence Lewis' decision to enter the transfer portal early paid off. The former Notre Dame cornerback found his new home in time to announce Tuesday a commitment to Syracuse on the day the spring portal opened.

Lewis was able to enter the portal early because he will complete a graduate transfer at the end of the spring semester. Lewis stepped away from Notre Dame's football program in late March to enter the portal.

Lewis was clearly destined to be a backup nickelback, fourth cornerback option and special teams contributor in 2024 after four seasons in various roles with the Irish. He started 23 games and played in 50 while totaling 124 tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one sack.

Visit The Juice Online for more coverage of Lewis' commitment to Syracuse.

Portal entry (3/29): CB Clarence Lewis

Clarence Lewis didn't feel the need to wait until Notre Dame's spring practices ended to enter the transfer portal. The senior cornerback who will graduate in May entered the transfer portal Friday with the team on Easter break.

Click here for a full story on Lewis.

Portal commitment (3/12): Walk-on RBMax Hurleman to Notre Dame

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (6)

Max Hurleman spent four seasons at FCS-level Colgate playing a combination of running back, wide receiver and special teams. He plans to spend his last season of college football trying to make an impact at Notre Dame.

Hurleman, who will join the Irish program as a preferred walk-on, announced Tuesday his commitment to transfer to Notre Dame. Hurleman, a product of Wyomissing (Pa.) Area High, visited Notre Dame last week for the first spring practice on Thursday.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Hurleman started 21 games at running back as a sophom*ore and junior. He was the team's second-leading rusher as a sophom*ore in 2021 with 92 carries for 346 yards and one touchdown. He was also the team's second-leading receiver with 30 catches for 218 yards. As a junior, Hurleman rushed 83 times for 397 yards and caught 20 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 11 kickoffs for 211 yards and 14 punt returns for 138 yards.

For his senior season, Hurleman made the switch from running back to wide receiver. He caught 28 pases for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He returned 12 punts for 77 yards and five kickoffs for 82 yards. He was named to the All-Patriot League First Team as a special teams player.

Notre Dame will have five scholarship running backs on the roster in 2024, so it's hard to imagine Hurleman receiving many meaningful carries. But he can provide depth in practice and find a role on special teams.

Portal commitment (1/21): OL Michael Carmodyto UCLA

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (7)

UCLA's first season in the Big Ten will come with some influx of former Notre Dame players on its roster. Senior offensive lineman Michael Carmody became the third former Irish player to commit to transfer to the Bruins this offseason following wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. and safety Ramon Henderson. A fourth former Notre Dame player, defensive back K.J. Wallace, also transferred to UCLA after spending the past two season at Georgia Tech.

Carmody hadn't played in a game for Notre Dame since 2022. He started the 2023 season with a hand injury that kept him sidelined. He made two starts during his Notre Dame career in 2021 and has two season of eligibility remaining.

Visit BruinBlitz.com for more coverage on Carmody's addition to UCLA.

Portal commitment (1/17): S Ramon Henderson to UCLA

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (8)

The transfer portal recruitment of former Notre Dame safety Ramon Henderson transpired without much coverage. It officially ended Wednesday when UCLA announced Henderson had transferred into its program.

Henderson has one season of eligibility remaining after playing five seasons at Notre Dame. He graduated from the university in May with a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Arts and Letters.

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Henderson appeared in all 12 of Notre Dame's regular season games in 2023. He totaled 14 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown on a muffed punt by Pittsburgh.

Henderson is the second former Notre Dame football player to transfer to the Bruins this offseason. Freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. did the same.

Visit BruinBlitz.com for more coverage on Henderson's addition to UCLA.

Portal commitment (1/15): CB Ryan Barnes to UMass

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (9)

The former three-star prospect’s quest for more playing time landed the junior cornerback at UMass, where the 6-2, 186-pounder will have two seasons of eligibility.

That leaves just three of Notre Dame’s 14 scholarship transfers — safeties Ramon Henderson and Antonio Carter II and offensive lineman Michael Carmody — still shopping for a landing spot.

Barnes’ first tackle, interception or pass breakup with the Minutemen will be his first stat on the college level. He played sparingly in seven games over his three years at Notre Dame, with four of those games coming as a freshman.

Former Irish cornerbacks Noah Boykin and Isaiah Rutherford both played for UMass (3-9) in 2023, with Boykin exhausting his eligibility after the season.

Portal commitment (1/10): DB Rod Heard II to Notre Dame

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (10)

Notre Dame won another transfer portal recruitment Wednesday when former Northwestern defensive back Rod Heard II announced his commitment to the Irish.

Heard, a graduate transfer, picked the Irish after a weekend visit and checking out Michigan and Michigan State as potential options. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Heard played primarily nickelback in 2023 for the Wildcats. He totaled 84 tackles, including four tackles for loss and one sack, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

The Irish recruited Heard as a safety with a starting spot open alongside unanimous All-American Xavier Watts on Notre Dame's 2024 roster.

Click here for more on Heard's addition to Notre Dame.

Portal commitment (1/9): WR Jayden Harrison to Notre Dame

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (11)

Notre Dame landed its first transfer portal target of the new calendar year on Tuesday from former Marshall wide receiver and kick returner Jayden Harrison.

Harrison, a former three-star recruit out of Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl-Cohn, originally signed with Vanderbilt in the 2019 recruiting class as a three-star recruit. Harrison did not play for Vanderbilt as a freshman but appeared in all nine games for the Commodores in 2020. He then transferred to Marshall and had 63 receptions, 759 yards and four receiving touchdowns in three seasons.

Marshall also deployed Harrison as its kick returner, where he totaled 1,381 yards on kickoffs in three years and scored three touchdowns, including two in 2023. Harrison, a graduate transfer, is expected to compete for starting kickoff return duties for special teams coordinator Marty Biagi. Harrison was named a Walter Camp First-Team All-American for his return efforts in 2023.

The Irish have now added three wide receivers via the transfer portal this offseason: Harrison, Kris Mitchell and Beaux Collins. New wide receivers coach Mike Brown will also have three true freshman wide receivers, including early enrollees Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert, at his disposal next season.

Click here for more on Harrison's addition to Notre Dame.

Portal commitment (1/4): LB Nolan Ziegler to Central Michigan

Former Notre Dame linebacker Nolan Ziegler has committed to Central Michigan, he announced on X/Twitter Thursday.

Ziegler is headed back to his home state, where he starred at Catholic Central and blossomed into a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. After entering the transfer portal in December, Ziegler quickly picked up an offer from Central Michigan and visited campus on Wednesday.

The Chippewas went 5-7 this season, including a 41-17 loss at Notre Dame in September. Three of Central Michigan's linebackers — Kyle Moretti, Justin Whiteside and Dakota Cochran — each registered at least 50 tackles for defensive coordinator Robb Akey.

Ziegler appeared in four games in two seasons with the Irish and missed a chunk of the 2023 regular season due to personal reasons.

Portal entry(12/30): LB Nolan Ziegler

After two seasons with Notre Dame, Nolan Ziegler will move on and look to finish his college career somewhere else after entering his name in the transfer portal on Saturday.

The 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker missed the majority of preseason camp and the 2023 regular season with a personal issue related to mental health. Ziegler appeared in three games for the Irish against USC, Pittsburgh and Clemson. He played three defensive snaps against the Panthers and did not record any statistics.

Ziegler did not join Notre Dame in its bowl prep leading up to the Sun Bowl and did not travel with the Irish to El Paso, Texas, for the matchup with Oregon State.

After enrolling early in January 2022, Ziegler played in one contest as a true freshman — against Boston College — and was credited with an assisted tackle.

The former Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central standout signed with the Irish as a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. He chose Notre Dame over an offer sheet including Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska and Virginia Tech.

Ziegler is the third member of Notre Dame's 2022 class, along with California wide receiver Tobias Merriweather and Tennessee tight end Holden Staes, to leave the Irish since the transfer portal opened earlier this month.

Portal commitment (12/21): WR Tobias Merriweather to Cal

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Tobias Merriweather has committed to Cal, he announced Thursday.

Merriweather, a sophom*ore, entered the transfer portal in late November following Notre Dame's regular season. Merriweather caught only 14 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns for an Irish offense in which he was expected to make a big step in 2023.

Cal's leading receiver, Jeremiah Hunter, announced his plan to enter the transfer portal earlier Thursday. Hunter caught 63 passes for 750 yards and seven touchdowns.

Head to Golden Bear Report for more coverage of Merriweather's transfer to Cal.

Portal commitment (12/16): DT Aidan Keanaaina to Cal

Former Irish defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina is headed to the West Coast.

In a post on X/Twitter Saturday, Keanaaina committed to California over other reported offers from Arizona and Charlotte. The 6-foot-3, 309-pound senior was a reserve nose tackle for Notre Dame this season. He'll have two seasons of eligibility remaining for California, who is expected to join the ACC beginning in 2024.

Keanaaina signed with Notre Dame in the 2020 recruiting class as a four-star recruit out of Denver Mullen High. He finished his Irish career with 11 tackles including 1.5 for loss. He appeared in 11 games over four years.

Cal head coach Justin Wilcox offered Keanaaina in high school, although his primary recruiters from the then-Golden Bears coaching staff — Charlie Ragle and Tony Tuioti — are now on Arizona State and Oregon's coaching staffs. Cal finished 6-6 and finished eighth in the Pac-12. The Golden Bears' defense had 23 sacks, including two from defensive tackle Ricky Correia.

Portal commitment (12/15): WR Rico Flores Jr. to UCLA

Another Notre Dame wide receiver transfer has found a new home.

Freshman Rico Flores Jr., announced UCLA as next stop Friday on Twitter/X, exactly two weeks after his digital public goodbye. He then entered the transfer portal on Dec. 3, the first day it was open for underclassmen in this current cycle that runs through Jan. 2.

Flores becomes the third of four Irish transfer wide receivers to find a landing spot, after Chris Tyree committed to Virginia and Braylon James to TCU. Still to be determined is the next stop for sophom*ore Tobias Merriweather.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman fired wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey on Nov. 28 and recently replaced him with Wisconsin’s Mike Brown. The Irish have added to transfer receivers Kris Mitchell of FIU and Clemson’s Beaux Collins since ND’s wide receiver exodus.

Wake Forest transfer wide receiver Jahmal Banks was set to start a multi-day recruiting visit with the Irish on Friday night.

The Irish are expected to sign three high school senior wide receiver recruits on Wednesday — Cam Williams, Logan Saldate and Micah Gilbert, all of whom are Rivals four-star prospects.

Flores’ 27 receptions in 2023 are the most among Notre Dame wide receivers and came with 392 receiving yards and a TD. His 27th reception Nov. 25 at Stanford means just Michael Floyd (48), Duval Kamara (32) and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown (28) have garnered more catches as an ND freshman wide receiver since the NCAA permanently restored freshman eligibility in 1972.

His 404 snaps in 2023 were the most of any Irish receiver during the regular season.

The CFP 16th-ranked Irish (9-3) continue their preparations Saturday for their Dec. 29 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl date with No. 19 Oregon State.

Portal commitment(12/14): TE Holden Staes to Tennessee

With Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles out of eligibility, Tennessee needed to add tight ends this offseason to pair with Ethan Davis.

Once players started entering the transfer portal, the Vols' staff was all over the top tight ends available.

Among those that the staff reached out to was Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes.

On Friday night, he decided to commit to the Tennessee for the upcoming season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Click here for more on Staes and how he fits at Tennessee.

Portal commitment(12/14): South Carolina K Mitch Jeter to Notre Dame

College kicker Mitch Jeter was high school soccer standout Mitch Jeter roughly six years ago when while “fooling around” kicking field goals for the first time ever, with a friend, he nailed a 40-yarder.

What followed has been calculated and curated when it comes to his football future, including the latest chapter — verbally committing Thursday to Notre Dame as a grad transfer for his final season of eligibility. The former South Carolina standout will be in line to be ND’s third straight grad transfer place-kicker in a three-year span, following New Orleans Saints rookie Blake Grupe and current Irish kicker Spencer Shrader.

Click here for more on what the Irish are getting in Jeter.

Portal commitment(12/13): Duke DE R.J. Obento Notre Dame

The Notre Dame football program should send a Christmas card to Duke.

When former Duke defensive end R.J. Oben announced Wednesday his commitment to transfer to Notre Dame, he became the second former Blue Devil to choose the Irish out of the transfer portal this week. Former Duke starting quarterbackRiley Leonard also shared his pledge to Notre Dame on Tuesday.

Click here for more on what the Irish are getting in Oben.

Portal commitment(12/12): Duke QB Riley Leonard to Notre Dame

Notre Dame landed its transfer portal target at quarterback once again.

The Irish followed up last season's acquisition of Wake Forest's Sam Hartman with Duke's Riley Leonard. Leonard, who became Duke's full-time starter in 2022, will bring passing and running threats to Notre Dame's offense. Before the 2023 season, which was disrupted by injuries, Leonard was consider a potential first-round NFL Draft pick by analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Dane Brugler.

Click here for more on what the Irish are getting in Leonard.

Portal entry(12/11): OL Michael Carmody

The last time Michael Carmody played in a game for Notre Dame football came in 2022. It should be his last.

The senior offensive lineman announced Monday he will be entering the transfer portal after not playing in any of Notre Dame’s regular season games this year. Carmody started the season with a hand injury that required surgery.

The 6-6, 291-pound Carmody made two starts during his Notre Dame career in 2021. He started at left tackle in the second game of his sophom*ore season after Blake Fisher suffered a knee injury in the season opener. Carmody was then sidelined with an ankle injury of his own. He returned to the starting lineup after missing two games, but the Cincinnati game was his final start. Then-freshman Joe Alt started at left tackle in the next game at Virginia Tech and has held onto the job since then.

Carmody’s only appearance in 2022 came in the final home game of the season against Boston College. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Carmody, whose older brother, Robby, played basketball at Notre Dame, signed with the Irish as a four-star recruit out of Mars (Pa.) High. Rivals ranked the younger Carmody as the No. 22 offensive tackle and No. 231 overall in the 2020 class. He’s the rare offensive lineman to remain roughly the same weight after four seasons in college from when he was a recruit.

Carmody gave serious consideration to Penn State, Ohio State and Pittsburgh before committing to offensive line coach Jeff Quinn at Notre Dame.

Carmody is the second offensive lineman on Notre Dame's 2023 roster to enter the transfer portal. Center Zeke Correll entered the portal and committed to NC State. Former Irish offensive lineman Joey Tanona, who had medically retired in 2022, also entered the transfer portal this month before commiting to Purdue.

Portal commitment (12/11): WR Braylon James to TCU

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (12)

Braylon James will return to Texas.

The former four-star recruit from Round Round (Texas) Stony Point entered the transfer portal following his freshman regular season at Notre Dame. On Monday, the 6-foot-2, 202-pound wide receiver revealed his portal exit plans with a commitment to TCU.

James played in just four games, in which he caught one pass for 12 yards, to maintain his redshirt season at Notre Dame. He has four season of eligibility remaining.

James is the second former Notre Dame player to commit to a TCU transfer. Graduate defensive end Nana Osafo-Mensah also plans to play for the Horned Frogs next season.

Portal commitment (12/9): C Zeke Correll to NC State

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (13)

Less than two weeks after Notre Dame starting center Zeke Correll announced his decision to transfer for his sixth and final college football season, he emerged from the transfer portal at NC State.

The Irish and Wolfpack do not play in 2024.

Correll, who made a Saturday announcement on Twitter/X, started 10 games at center this season but missed Notre Dame’s final two regular-season games, including a Senior Day matchup with Wake Forest, with a concussion he suffered at Clemson on Nov. 7. He helped contribute to Notre Dame’s offensive line being selected as a 2023 Joe Moore Award semifinalist.

The 6-foot-3, 306-pound Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson High product started all 13 games for Notre Dame in 2022 at center, with two starts at center because of injury in 2020, and six starts at left guard in 2021 before being displaced at midseason by Andrew Kristofic.

Head to The Wolfpack Central for more coverage of Correll's transfer to NC State.

Portal commitment (12/8): OG Joey Tanona to Purdue

An intriguing name out of the transfer portal has now announced his commitment to Purdue. Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Joey Tanona entered the portal on Monday morning and quickly found a new home with the Boilermakers.

Tanona was a four-star prospect and the 178th ranked player in the class of 2022 from Zionsville, Indiana, that signed with the Fighting Irish. The highly-touted offensive lineman's college career was thought to have ended before it began after being injured in a car accident. He medically retired from football in August 2022, but now plots his return, with West Lafayette being his official landing spot to do so.

Head to Boiler Upload for more coverage on Tanona's transfer to Purdue.

Portal entry (11/27):Walk-on RB Skip Velotta

After five years as a walk-on football player at Notre Dame, running back Skip Velotta is on the move, perhaps in search of a scholarship opportunity for a sixth and final season of college football in 2024.

He is the first Irish walk-on to submit his name into the transfer portal this transfer cycle.

The 5-foot-9, 209-pound Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius High product played in 26 games during his five years at Notre Dame, including eight during the 2023 regular season.

He ran for 14 yards on two carries and made two special teams tackles this season, the first statistics he’d accumulated during his time at ND.

Portal commitment (12/8): DE Nana Osafo-Mensah to TCU

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (14)

Former Notre Dame defensive end Nana Osafo-Mensah announced on Friday he's transferring to TCU. Osafo-Mensah was a three-star recruit out of Fort Worth (Tex.) Nolan Catholic in the 2019 recruiting class and received an offer from the Horned Frogs in the recruiting process.

Osafo-Mensah has one year of eligibility remaining in 2024. He finished with 20 tackles including 5.5 for loss and three sacks in 2023. Linebacker Namdi Obiazor led TCU with four sacks this season while three other defenders — Paul Oyewale, Jamoi Hodge and Damonic Williams — registered three sacks apiece.

Portal commitment (12/5): WR Chris Tyree to Virginia

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Chris Tyree announced Tuesday a commitment to Virginia. Tyree played his high school ball at Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale.

Tyree, who will complete a graduate transfer, caught 26 passes for 484 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games for Notre Dame this season in his first year as a wide receiver.

Virginia's passing game in 2023 was led by 5-foot-8 Malik Washington, a graduate transfer wide receiver from Northwestern. Washington totaled 110 receptions for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns.

Virginia is scheduled to play at Notre Dame on Nov. 16 next season.

Head to Cavs Corner for more coverage of the Tyree addition for Virginia.

Portal commitment (12/5): WR Kris Mitchell to Notre Dame

Notre Dame added its second transfer portal commitment in as many days when former FIU wide receiver Kris Mitchell announced Tuesday his pledge to the Irish.

Click here for more on what the Irish are getting in Mitchell.

InsideNDSports - Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (15)

Portal entry (12/4): DB Antonio Carter II

Antonio Carter II will go through the transfer portal process for a second time.

The Rhode Island graduate transferred to Notre Dame last offseason. After one season with the Irish, Carter will return to the transfer portal, he announced Monday. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Carter had plenty of suitors earlier this year. When he committed to the Irish in May, he canceled planned visits to LSU and Florida and had already visited Wisconsin and Ole Miss. But his impact at Notre Dame in 2023 ended up being minimal.

Carter played in 10 games during Notre Dame’s regular season with most of those appearances coming on special teams and specifically ND’s kickoff coverage unit. He played 72 defensive snaps across eight games. Carter tallied eight tackles and one forced fumble in his limited roles.

The 6-foot, 207-pound Carter transitioned to safety at Notre Dame after finishing his Rhode Island career as a cornerback. In his last two seasons at the FCS program, Carter recorded 105 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three recovered fumbles, two sacks and one interception.

Portal commitment (12/4): DB Jordan Clark to Notre Dame

After visiting campus over the weekend, Jordan Clark became the first player out of the transfer portal to commit to Notre Dame on Monday.

Clark, who spent five seasons at Arizona State, is expected to fill the nickel cornerback role for defensive coordinator Al Golden. He had 50 tackles and a team-high nine passes defended for Arizona State in 2023.

As a freshman in 2019, Clark appeared in two games and redshirted. He played 37 more games from 2020-23 and finished his career with 139 tackles, 20 passes defended and three interceptions. He is the son of former NFL defensive back Ryan Clark.

Click here for a full story on Clark.

Portal entry (12/4): OL Joey Tanona

An automobile accident on the way to an early-morning workout almost two years ago changed Joey Tanona’s football future, seemingly forever.

On Monday via Twitter/X, the once-promising Notre Dame interior offensive lineman let the college football world know he’s on the road to changing it back.

Medically retired from football for both the 2022 and 2023 season, his freshman and sophom*ore years at ND, the 6-foot-5, 284-pound former four-star prospect announced he was unretiring and entering the transfer portal to restart a college career that never got off the ground.

Click here for a full story on Tanona

Portal entry (12/2): CB Ryan Barnes

Notre Dame didn’t use cornerback Ryan Barnes very often in his three seasons with the Irish. Now the junior will be looking for a new college home through the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound Barnes announced his portal plan Saturday on social media.

Barnes played in just seven games during his Notre Dame career with four of those appearances coming during his freshman season to maintain redshirt status. He played in one game in 2022 — on special teams against North Carolina — and two games in 2023 — primarily on defense late in blowout victories over Tennessee State and Wake Forest.

Barnes never recorded a stat in his Notre Dame career. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Notre Dame signed Barnes as a three-star recruit out of Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard. Rivals ranked him as the No. 60 cornerback in the 2021 class.

Portal entry (12/1): WR Rico Flores Jr.

Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., who led all Notre Dame receivers with 27 catches in the regular season, announced Friday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Flores.

Portal entry (12/1): TE Holden Staes

Notre Dame sophom*ore tight end Holden Staes, who caught 15 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, announced Friday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Staes.

Portal entry (11/30): S Ramon Henderson

Notre Dame senior safety Ramon Henderson, who played in all 12 games of the 2023 regular season as an extra defensive back in special packages, announced Thursday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Henderson.

Portal entry (11/30): WR Braylon James

Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Braylon James, who used a redshirt season in 2023 by playing in just four games, announced Thursday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on James.

Portal entry (11/29): WR Tobias Merriweather

Notre Dame sophom*ore wide receiver Tobias Merriweather, who failed to meet lofty expectations in 2023, announced Wednesday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Merriweather.

Portal entry (11/28): NT Aidan Keanaaina

Notre Dame reserve nose tackle Aidan Keanaaina will enter the transfer portal, he announced Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3, 309-pound senior will do so as a Notre Dame graduate on track to receive his bachelor's degree in business administration in January. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining in his college career.

Keanaaina registered seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a shared sack in six game appearances for Notre Dame this season. His 40 defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus, were a career-high. His playing time came mostly in Notre Dame’s blowout victories.

Keanaaina’s career was sidetracked by a torn ACL in his right knee in March 2022. Somewhat surprisingly, Keanaaina was able to recover in time to play in one game of his junior season, the 44-0 victory over Boston College on Nov. 19, in which he recorded two tackles.

Keanaaina played in one game as a freshman and three as a sophom*ore. He made one tackle in the Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 2021 season.

Notre Dame signed Keanaaina as a four-star recruit out of Denver Mullen High. Rivals ranked him as the No. 29 defensive tackle in the 2020 class. He committed to the Irish over fellow finalists Ohio State and Florida.

Keanaaina’s father, Stacey, played football at Colorado State.

Portal entry (11/27): CZeke Correll

Notre Dame graduate student Zeke Correll, who started 23 games at center the last two seasons for the Irish, announced Monday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Correll.

Portal entry (11/27): WR Chris Tyree

Notre Dame senior Chris Tyree, who switched positions from running back to wide receiver prior to the 2023 season and went on to lead the team in receiving yards in the regular season with 484, announced Monday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Tyree.

Portal entry (11/27):DE Nana Osafo-Mensah

Notre Dame graduate senior Nana Osafo-Mensah, who recorded 47 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks as a reserve defensive end in 37 games the past three seasons, announced Monday his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Click here for a full story on Osafo-Mensah.

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InsideNDSports  -  Portal Roundup: Former Notre Dame S Antonio Carter II to Jacksonville State (2024)
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