Marcus Freeman 2026 Portal Tour IS ON!

Notre Dame football & Marcus Freeman have gone from being questioned, poked at, & mocked all over the internet to flexing their muscles yet again all over the college football world. Over the past 48 hours they have managed to sign not one, two, or three...but six of the top transfer prospects in college football. Oh, & they are far from done yet.

The avalanche of commitments just started with the #3 WR in the portal, former 5-star Ohio State Buckeye 6'4" Quincy Porter. While the Irish feel confident in their WR depth & already have two budding stars in Jaden Greathouse & Jordan Faison, the addition of a big-bodied WR was something they felt could be game-changing. Returning QB CJ Carr’s options continued to grow this evening as Porter’s teammate, WR Mylan Graham, after conversations with Malik Nabers (WR under OC Mike Denbrock) over the past few days, signed on with the Irish as well. The Irish have top athleticism now out wide to compete with anyone in the nation.

While we are very confident in our RB room, the desire for options on the outside shows a potential shift in 2026 to a more Carr-led offense. We cannot forget the options we also have at TE & all of the young recruits who are ready to show they can contribute as well. We know to win a championship your depth will be tested, & the Irish are making sure theirs can handle the test of a 15- to 16-game season.

Here is where things get even better for Irish fans though... the two offensive stars are only the beginning of the top-tier names who are coming to South Bend. With already a star secondary coming back in 2026, the depth can no longer be questioned. After seeing Benjamin Morrison go down in 2024 (though Leonard Moore was more than ready) & injury issues with Devonta Smith, Jalen Stroman, & even Christian Gray, Coach Freeman is learning from the past. Not one but two of the top DBs in the portal are headed our way. Former CBs Colorado’s DJ McKinney & Michigan’s Jayden Sanders, along with two 5-star incoming freshmen in Joey O’Brien & Ayden Pouncey, give the secondary depth that is easily one of the best in the nation.

While most of the defense has no questions to be answered, the D-line was the major-league question mark for fans between graduates, retirements, & transfers. Freeman yet again has wasted no time, with two of the top players available joining the short list to South Bend. Quality over quantity has been the motto so far. Former Irish commit EDGE Keon Keely, after a short stint in Alabama where he was listed as the #11 DL in the portal, isn’t going to be alone checking into the ND dorms next week, as Pitt DL Francis Brewu also gave his commitment today. Brewu is listed as the #5 DL & was highly sought after by Ohio State & Tennessee.

From reports swarming around, Freeman & his staff still seem hot on the recruiting trail. We would of course love to see another DL or two, along with a kicker. Either way, when you combine these portal grabs with what was listed as high as the 2nd-ranked freshman class in the nation, Notre Dame is looking like an early top contender for the 2026 season.

Make sure to keep your eyes & ears peeled for more news. Also, at 1pm Wednesday we are getting our first Marcus Freeman press conference of 2026. Check for great updates from Bruce Straughan(@bruce_straughan) on twitter, has has the best up to date info on the portal! The year of the Irish is SOOO ON!