The college football transfer portal is now open, and Notre Dame football has been active.
The new 15-day winter transfer portal window runs through Friday, Jan. 16. The spring window for transfers has been eliminated.
Teams that reach the College Football Playoff final on Jan. 19 have an additional five-day period to enter the portal once their seasons conclude.
Check back regularly for updates to this live transfer portal tracker for Notre Dame football.
Portal Additions (8)
Notre Dame adds Oregon defensive tackle Tionne Gray
A redshirt sophomore from St. Louis, Gray committed to Notre Dame on Thursday Jan. 15.
Gray is a former four-star recruit who stands 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds. That instantly makes him the second-heaviest player on Notre Dame’s roster, trailing only fellow defensive tackle Sean Sevillano Jr., a third-year sophomore who packs 340 pounds on his 6-2 frame.
A product of Hazelwood Central High School, Gray also considered Missouri upon entering the portal after Oregon’s College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Indiana.
Gray played 232 total snaps (15.5 average) across 13 games for the Ducks, including all three CFP games. Just 15 of those snaps, combined, came in regular-season games against the Hoosiers and Washington.
He also missed back-to-back games in November against Minnesota and USC with an undisclosed ailment.
Gray finished with 18 tackles, including two for loss, plus a blocked field goal against James Madison. Oregon, which led just 13-3 early in the second quarter, went on to a 51-34 first-round CFP win.
Purdue kicker Spencer Porath
Notre Dame’s kicking woes figure to subside with the arrival of Purdue transfer Spencer Porath. A Brownsburg product, the rising junior announced his commitment on Tuesday evening, Jan. 13.
Listed at 5-11 and 200 pounds, Porath is 22-of-28 on field goal tries through two seasons with a career long of 53 yards last Nov. 15 at Washington.
He missed just twice as a sophomore after going 7-of-11 his freshman year with a long of 45 yards. He has made all 41 of his extra-point attempts.
Porath went 3-for-3 at Notre Dame Stadium last September, converting from 26, 35 and 48 yards in a 56-30 loss that included a lightning delay.
Ohio State WR Mylan Graham
A rising third-year sophomore from New Haven, Ind., Graham had six receptions for 93 yards (10.3 average) at Ohio State this season. He committed to Notre Dame on Tuesday Jan. 13, according to multiple reports.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound speedster had one catch apiece against Grambling, Wisconsin and Purdue and added three more for 40 yards against UCLA in a 48-10 win on Nov. 15.
Stuck behind star wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and team captain Brandon Inniss, Graham appeared in four games (15 snaps) as the Buckeyes won the 2024 national title.
This fall Graham played 161 snaps across 12 games, but he was on the field for just two total snaps over Ohio State’s final three games. He joins fellow Ohio State transfer wideout Quincy Porter in this year’s portal class for Notre Dame.
Pittsburgh defensive tackle Francis Brewu
Defensive tackle Francis Brewu, one of the top remaining prizes in this year’s transfer portal, committed to the Irish on Tuesday Jan. 13. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Brewu is a Westerville, Ohio product who produced from the outset with Pittsburgh.
Brewu visited Tennessee and Notre Dame last week before stopping at Ohio State over the weekend. South Carolina and Indiana were reportedly in the mix as well.
After appearing in 12 games as a freshman in 2024, including a start against Toledo in a six-overtime loss in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Brewu played all 13 games (12 starts) for Pitt in 2025.
Michigan CB Jayden Sanders
A sophomore cornerback from Kilgore, Texas, Jayden Sanders committed to Notre Dame on Monday Jan. 12.
Sanders played in 12 games for Michigan in 2025. He made two early-season starts, against Central Michigan and Nebraska, and averaged 25 defensive snaps a game.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, Sanders played 10% of his 303 defensive snaps at the slot corner with the vast majority being on the perimeter for the Wolverines. He profiles as a boundary corner with the potential to succeed All-American Leonard Moore once he heads to the NFL after the 2026 season.
Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley
Alabama transfer Keon Keeley has returned to Notre Dame via the portal process, roughly 41 months after canceling his commitment as the prized member of the 2023 recruiting class. Keeley confirmed via social media the long-rumored transaction on Monday Jan. 12.
At 6-foot-5 and 282 pounds, Keeley is an athletic defensive end who has flashed his immense potential only briefly to this point in college. A high school teammate of Irish linebacker analyst Tre Reader, Keeley has two years of remaining eligibility.
With this decision, Keeley evokes comparisons to the U-turn Tyler Buchner executed after transferring to Alabama in the spring of 2023 and then returning to Notre Dame as a walk-on receiver and lacrosse player one year later.
Ohio State wide receiver Quincy Porter
While Porter struggled to carve out a niche in his freshman year at Ohio State, he’s just a year removed from five-star prospect status out of Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, N.J. Porter committed to Notre Dame on Monday Jan. 12.
At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Porter reportedly boasts a 6-foot-9 wingspan that make him an inviting downfield target and a contested-catch threat in general. A high school track standout who ran an 11.12 100 meters as a junior, he finished 2025 with just four catches for 59 yards after posting 38 touchdowns in 37 varsity high school games.
He was in for just 81 total snaps, including 24 on special teams, in either four or five regular-season games in 2025. Pro Football Focus credited him with a pair of punt return reps in a 34-16 win at Illinois on Oct. 11, but Ohio State’s official game participation chart in the media notes showed Porter with no snaps in that game.
Colorado cornerback DJ McKinney
A 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Colleyville, Texas, McKinney committed to Notre Dame on Monday Jan. 12. He was a three-star recruit out of high school.
Named honorable mention all-conference in 2024 by Big 12 coaches as a junior, when he ranked fourth in the league with nine pass breakups, McKinney dealt with an unspecified injury that cost him the final three games of Colorado’s disappointing 2025 season (3-9 record).
He still finished with 35 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups. He played 670 total snaps, including 73 on special teams.
Portal Departures (18)
Preston Zinter lands at Rice
UPDATE: On Jan. 13 Rice announced Zinter’s commitment on social media. The Houston-based Owls, who have suffered 11 straight losing seasons, visit Notre Dame for the home opener on Sept. 12. Zinter was announced as a tight end.
Preston Zinter, who led Notre Dame in special teams snaps (211) by a wide margin in 2025, entered the transfer portal on Tuesday Jan. 6, according to On3.com.
A three-star linebacker recruit in 2023 from North Andover, Mass., Zinter converted to defensive end last offseason. Listed at 6-2 and 240 pounds, he will have two years of remaining eligibility after playing just 75 defensive snaps in three seasons with the Irish.
Younger brother of former Michigan All-America offensive guard Zak Zinter, Preston Zinter missed two games (Arkansas and Boise State) with a concussion last season. Pro Football Focus assigned him the highest special teams grade for Notre Dame in 2025.
Notre Dame retains Armel Mukam, defensive tackle
UPDATE: After taking visits to Georgia Tech and Virginia, Mukam decided to remove his name from the transfer portal and return to Notre Dame, a source confirmed on Sunday Jan. 11. Mukam’s decision came days after the arrival of new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
A former consensus three-star recruit from Quebec by way of Woodberry Forest (Va.) School, Mukam had been set to depart with two remaining years of eligibility.
At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Mukam stands to inherit an increased role with the Irish in 2026 due to significant attrition on the defensive line’s interior. Mukam was a lightly used backup with 69 defensive snaps in 2025.
Wide receiver KK Smith to Michigan State
UPDATE: According to On3.com, Smith committed on Sunday Jan. 11 to Michigan State. Former Irish linebackers coach Max Bullough returned to the Spartans a month earlier as co-defensive coordinator.
A speedster with the ability to stretch the field, rising fourth-year junior KK Smith reportedly entered the transfer portal on Monday Jan. 5. At 6-foot and 176 pounds, Smith lacked the blocking skills Notre Dame requires from its wideouts, but the Frisco, Texas product showed chemistry with quarterback CJ Carr at several points in 2025.
Smith had 11 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns for the Irish over the past two seasons, with both scores coming in 2025: an 18-yard touchdown against N.C. State and a 34-yard strike against Navy.
Smith redshirted in 2023 after offseason surgery on his left shoulder. He played a total of 197 offensive snaps over the past two seasons, but was unable to contribute on special teams.
Boston College signs linebacker Bodie Kahoun
UPDATE: Boston College announced Kahoun’s commitment on Jan. 10. Kahoun played three snaps, all on kickoff coverage, in Notre Dame’s 25-10 win at Boston College on Nov. 1.
A rising third-year sophomore from Roanoka, Va.. Bodie Kahoun reportedly entered the transfer portal on Wednesday Jan. 7, according to Irish Sports Daily. Lightly used with the Irish, the 6-2, 230-pound Kahoun saw 44 plays of action across nine games in 2025, all but three of those on special teams.
He appeared in three games in 2024, preserving his redshirt season.
Safety Ben Minich to Miami (Ohio)
UPDATE: On Jan. 10 Minich announced on social media his commitment to Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks’ campus is 24 miles from Minich’s high school, Lakota West.
A second safety entered the portal in as many days as Ben Minich posted Dec. 23 on social media his intent to transfer. Minich appeared in three games in 2023 while retaining his redshirt. He was mostly a special teams player the last two seasons, appearing in 14 games in 2024 and all 12 in 2025.
Minich was in for 162 plays this fall, all but 14 of those on special teams. A Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) product like fellow transfer safety Taebron Bennie-Powell, Minich registered 10 career tackles.
Linebacker Anthony Sacca to UCLA
UPDATE: On Jan. 10, Sacca committed to UCLA via the transfer portal, according to On3.com.
The son of former Penn State and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Tony Sacca, Anthony Sacca has reportedly entered the transfer portal after one season at Notre Dame. A 6-3, 240-pound linebacker from Delran, N.J., Sacca was a two-time state champion who earned four-star recruit status from ESPN and Rivals.com.
He did not see game action as a freshman and leaves with four years of eligibility.
Cornerback Karson Hobbs to Florida State
UPDATE: On Jan. 9, Hobbs committed to Florida State, his agent told On3.com. The Seminoles have gone 7-17 over the past two seasons. Hobbs reposted the initial report, tweeting, “Lol watch how God work” with a grinning emoji.
After seeing action in 15 games over two seasons for the Irish, the 6-1, 189-pound rising junior entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27. A Cincinnati product from Moeller High, Hobbs started and played 56 defensive snaps at nickelback in the 41-40 loss to Texas A&M that left Notre Dame 0-2 to start 2025.
He would play just 31 defensive snaps the rest of the season, appearing in five games. Hobbs played in eight games (116 total snaps) as a freshman, with 33 plays coming on special teams.
Cornerback Cree Thomas to Colorado
UPDATE: Thomas has commited to coach Deion Sanders and Colorado, per Thomas’ social media post on Jan. 7. The Buffaloes tied for 90th in FBS in pass defense, allowing 7.5 yards per attempt. They were 69th in pass defense efficiency.
Coming from the same Brophy Prep program in Phoenix that produced NFL cornerback Benjamin Morrison, Cree Thomas even inherited Morrison’s old jersey No. 20 upon his arrival at Notre Dame. Their paths quickly diverged as Thomas reportedly entered the transfer portal on Friday Jan. 2 after just one season with the Irish.
A consensus three-star recruit, the 6-1, 189-pound Thomas played just 30 defensive snaps in three late-season games. He saw just two plays on special teams. Wisconsin, Oregon and Arizona were the other finalists out of high school for Thomas.
Antavious “Scrap” Richardson, wide receiver
UPDATE: On Jan. 16, Richardson committed to Auburn, according to On3.com.
A four-star signee in 2025 from tiny Greenville, Ga. (pop. 794), Scrap Richardson reportedly entered the transfer portal on Jan. 7. A speedster with high school experience at quarterback, running back and defensive back, Richardson was a state sprint champion in three events.
Although he stepped in at scout-team quarterback for the Irish ahead of matchups against dual-threat signal-callers, Richardson was unable to carve out a game-day role as a freshman.
Safety JaDon Blair lands at Missouri
UPDATE: On Tuesday Jan. 6, Blair committed to Missouri after a two-day visit to Columbia, according to On3.com. Oddly, Missouri was not among the 22 listed offers for Blair coming out of high school.
A four-star recruit from Winston-Salem, N.C., the 6-foot-5, 205-pound freshman played just 19 defensive snaps in 2025. All of those came in the Senior Day blowout of Syracuse.
Blair was a top 55 recruit in the On3 rankings while the other leading services placed him no higher than No. 154 nationally. His father Ja’Warren is a former East Carolina defensive lineman who played professionally in NFL Europe.
Running back Gi’Bran Payne to Cincinnati
UPDATE: On Jan. 5, Payne announced via social media he would transfer home to Cincinnati. Payne played at La Salle High School.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Cincinnati product announced his transfer portal intentions on the night of Friday Dec. 19.
After missing all of 2024 with a torn right ACL suffered in the spring game, Payne appeared in all 12 games this season, mainly on the kick return unit. He played just 16 snaps on offense but averaged 5.9 yards on his nine carries.
Payne, who originally signed with Indiana before transferring to Notre Dame in the 2022 signing class, was the primary short-yardage back in 2023. He rushed for 168 yards and two scores that year, adding nine catches for 58 yards and two more scores.
Defensive end Josh Burnham to Indiana
UPDATE: Following in the footsteps of former Irish teammate Pat Coogan, Burnham committed on Sunday night, Jan. 4, to Big Ten champion Indiana. Burnham registered two tackles and one quarterback hurry in 43 defensive snaps in Notre Dame’s 2024 first-round win over Indiana in the College Football Playoff.
A 6-foot-4, 260-pound product of Traverse City, Mich., Burnham announced via social media on Tuesday Dec. 30 he would enter the transfer portal with one remaining season of eligibility.
Having transitioned from linebacker to a valuable defensive end during his four years at Notre Dame, Burnham played through injuries to make 14 combined starts over the past two seasons. He made six tackles for loss, including three sacks, in 2025 while dealing with a strained adductor muscle for much of the year.
Burnham averaged nearly 300 defensive snaps over the past three seasons and was credited with 39 total pressures. He also contributed on special teams as a shield blocker for punts and a wing protector on place kicks.
Quarterback Kenny Minchey to Kentucky
UPDATE: On Monday Jan. 5, one day after committing to Nebraska, Minchey reversed course and switched his commitment to Kentucky. He projects as the Wildcats’ starter in 2026 for first-year coach Will Stein, Oregon’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons.
Kenny Minchey, Notre Dame football’s backup quarterback, plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, according to multiple national reports on Dec. 8.
A redshirt sophomore, Minchey will have two remaining seasons of eligibility after backing up first-year starter CJ Carr this fall.
A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., a Nashville suburb, the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Minchey appeared in six games for the Irish this season. He went 20-of-26 passing (76.9%) for 196 yards and ran seven times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Minchey closed out the 49-20 road win over Stanford on Nov. 29. He absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit on the final drive but stayed in the game for the final three snaps.
After battling Minchey for the starting job in fall camp, Carr led the Irish to a 10-2 record and the No. 11 CFP national ranking. Minchey originally committed to play for Pittsburgh before flipping to Notre Dame and then-offensive coordinator Tommy Rees late in the 2023 recruiting cycle.
Marcello Diomede, kicker
On Friday Dec, 26, junior backup kicker Marcello Diomede announced on social media he intends to enter the transfer portal with two remaining seasons of eligibility. Diomede appeared in half of Notre Dame’s 12 games this season, making two of his three extra-point attempts and kicking off a total of 17 times.
The Glen Ellyn, Ill,, native appeared in three games in 2024 and one as a freshman in 2023. He made his lone extra-point attempt in each season and kicked off one time each year.
Safety Taebron Bennie-Powell to Boise State
UPDATE: On Sunday Jan. 11, Bennie-Powell committed to Boise State, according to On3.com. Bennie-Powell had disclosed on social media prior offers from the Broncos and Central Michigan.
A three-star signee in the 2024 recruiting class, Bennie-Powell was unable to carve out a role in two seasons with the Irish. He missed the 2024 season following August surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
In 2025, the former Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) teammate of Notre Dame defensive back Ben Minich played just 14 snaps, all against Syracuse in the 70-7 Senior Day blowout. Bennie-Powell announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 19 with three seasons of remaining eligibility.
Chance Tucker, cornerback
Slowed by injury during his five seasons with the Irish, Tucker announced via his agents on Wednesday Dec. 18 that he would enter the transfer portal.
The Encino, Calif., product suffered a broken left tibia in the Senior Day romp over Syracuse. He also missed the 2024 season with a torn Achilles.
The 6-foot, 183-pound Tucker played 36 defensive snaps over four games in 2025, plus another two plays on kickoff coverage. He saw action in 14 total games during his Notre Dame career, including nine games in 2023.
Quarterback Anthony Rezac to South Dakota State
UPDATE: Rezac announced Jan. 2 he would transfer to South Dakota State, an FCS power that won back-to-back national titles in 2022-23.
The twin brother of Irish scholarship linebacker Teddy Rezac plans to enter the transfer portal, On3.com reported on Dec. 16. A reserve holder and fourth-string quarterback from Omaha, Neb., Anthony Rezac (6-3, 201 pounds) was a key member of the scout team, especially in 2024, when CJ Carr’s elbow injury sidelined him for much of his freshman season.
Leo Scheidler, wide receiver
A walk-on from Lake Forest, Ill., Leo Scheidler reportedly entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2. At 6-1 and 195 pounds, the rising fifth-year senior appeared in six games in 2025 with all eight of his 36 snaps coming on special teams.
Scheidler caught two passes for 12 yards, both of those on Senior Day against Syracuse.
Alex Whitman, wide receiver
A 6-3, 199-pound walk-on from Highstown, N.J., Whitman entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2, according to Irish Sports Daily. In three seasons with the Irish, Whitman appeared in just one game: 2025’s Senior Day win over Syracuse, when he played 10 snaps, including eight on offense.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football transfer tracker: WR Scrap Richardson to Auburn
Reporting by Mike Berardino and Austin Hough, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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