Notre Dame Transfers Should Make A Big Impact In 2023

Notre Dame didn't recruit a high volume of transfers, but the players the staff landed are expected to have a big impact
Notre Dame Transfers Should Make A Big Impact In 2023
Notre Dame Transfers Should Make A Big Impact In 2023 /

Notre Dame is likely never going to be a program that hits the transfer portal with the volume that you're seeing in recent seasons. There are teams that are landing transfers in the double figures, and several programs landed more than 20 players in the portal this offseason. Don't expect that to be Notre Dame's philosophy under Marcus Freeman, who prefers a more targeted approach.

Of course, former Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman was the most established and most discussed player to pick the Irish. Hartman is expected to be a catalyst to a much-improved Fighting Irish offense. He comes in as a Top 20 passer in college football in both yards and touchdowns.

Hartman is the only remaining transfer on offense, but the Irish defense was more active in the transfer portal. Notre Dame landed former Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Oklahoma State nickel Thomas Harper and Rhode Island safety Antonio Carter II.

"We were very specific," Freeman said of Notre Dame's portal focus. "Javontae was a guy we thought could truly help us with (our) pass rush, but also just being every down defensive end. (Defensive line coach) Al Washington had a previous relationship with him at Ohio State, and he's been a huge addition just to our defensive line."

Jean-Baptiste was a rotational player on Ohio State's talented defensive line the last two seasons. Despite having just the 8th most pass snaps for the Buckeye defense (according to Pro Football Focus) last season, Jean-Baptiste was 4th on the defense in sacks and was just one sack behind the team leaders.

For Notre Dame, however, Jean-Baptiste is expected to play a far more prominent role. He'll battle for the starting field end role this season after a strong spring session.

The first defender to transfer to Notre Dame this offseason was Harper, who has big shoes to fill.

"Thomas Harper was a guy that we were looking for, 'Hey, who can be a nickel, we're losing TaRiq Bray," Freeman said. "TaRiq was huge. (Clarence Lewis) played some nickel, but C Lew is going to be a corner too. So (we needed) a guy that has shown to play nickel, and help replace TaRiq Bracy.

"And that was Thomas Harper." 

Notre Dame's expected depth chart at safety was constantly changing throughout the offseason. Brandon Joseph left for the NFL, long time 2023 commit Peyton Bowen flipped on signing day, and then Brandyn Hillman was released from his national letter of intent after signing day.

That put Notre Dame in need of a safety much later in the process than expected. Jean-Baptiste, Harper and Hartman all enrolled in the winter and went through spring practice. The changes at safety forced Notre Dame to go the portal after the spring.

"The whole thing happened with Brandon Hillman, and so we said, 'Okay, we need a number in the safety's room," Freeman explained. "I wanted it to be the right guy, I didn't just want to take a guy to take a guy. Then all of a sudden Antonio Carter's film and his personality and everything was check, check, check."

An added bonus with landing Carter was that he has two seasons of eligibility remaining. He'll compete for time immediately in fall camp, but landing him helps fill an important role for two more seasons, whereas the other transfers are one-and-dones at Notre Dame.

It's safe to say that Notre Dame's defense will rely heavily on the transfers for success. Notre Dame has a lot of talented depth returning, but the transfers fill glaring holes, and they will be expected to provide a lot of production and crucial play. The better they play the better the defense will be this season.

Notre Dame also added some important pieces on special teams. South Florida transfer Spencer Sanders is expected to take over placekicking duties while Penn transfer Ben Krimm will battle returner Bryce McFerson for the starting role at punter.

Transfers will be counted on for very important roles in all three phases of the game this season.

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Bryan Driskell
BRYAN DRISKELL

Bryan Driskell is the publisher of Irish Breakdown and has been covering Notre Dame football for over a decade. A former college football player and coach, Bryan and Irish Breakdown bring a level of expertise and analysis that is unmatched. From providing in depth looks at the Fighting Irish, breaking news stories and honest recruiting analysis, Irish Breakdown has everything Notre Dame football fans want and need. Bryan was previous a football analyst for Blue & Gold Illustrated before launching Irish Breakdown. He coached college football at Duquesne University, Muhlenberg College, Christopher Newport University, Wittenberg University and Defiance College. During his coaching career he was a pass game coordinator, recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach and wide receivers coach. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Salisbury University, where he played quarterback for the Sea Gulls. You can email Bryan at bryan@irishbreakdown.com. Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more. BECOME A MEMBER Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time! Follow Bryan on Twitter: @CoachD178Like and follow Irish Breakdown on FacebookSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channelSubscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter