Notre Dame safety Kennedy Urlacher plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Notre Dame safety Kennedy Urlacher plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Urlacher spent one season with the program and contributed as the Fighting Irish made a run to the College Football Playoff national championship game. Now, the defensive back will be looking for a new home ahead of the 2025 season.

“BREAKING: Notre Dame Safety Kennedy Urlacher is entering the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports,” Fawcett said via X. “The 5’11 200 S will have 3 years of eligibility remaining. He’s the Son of NFL Hall of Fame LB Brian Urlacher.”

Urlacher played high school football at Chandler (AZ), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 707 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Before Marcus Freeman won the recruitment, five other schools were involved. Kansas State, Miami, Illinois, Penn State, and TCU were interested in Urlacher. Ultimately, the Fighting Irish were deemed the best fit at the time.

“I think even talking to Brian Urlacher he’s able to tell Kennedy ‘Hey man, this game’s gonna end, and so go somewhere where you can maximize your football opportunities. But understand, set yourself up for life after football.’ And I think that coming from the Urlacher family, a guy that didn’t come here, but understood the value of Notre Dame, he had a huge impact on his son Kennedy,” Freeman said in Dec. 2023.

Kennedy Urlacher played in 14 games this season for Notre Dame. His main role was on the special teams unit, fitting for a true freshman defensive back. Even so, Urlacher was able to make an impact once on the field.

He recorded 12 tackles, seven of which were solo. One tackle for loss and even a PBU are on the stat sheet for Urlacher. The TFL came against Virginia in the middle portion of the schedule, while Urlacher made an impressive play in pass coverage vs. Purdue in the season opener.

“Honestly, kickoff is my favorite,” Urlacher said during Notre Dame spring practice. “I love punt. Kick return is alright, but kickoff, I think I can definitely have a shot at playing right there.”

Now leaving South Bend, Urlacher might be looking for an expanded role. Getting some playing time with the defensive unit may be at the top of his mind, having three years of eligibility remaining.