Notre Dame senior linebacker announces plans to enter transfer portal

Notre Dame senior linebacker Shayne Simon announced on Saturday he’s entering the transfer portal, according to his Twitter page.

Forever Love Thee🍀 pic.twitter.com/5e3Y2sSYnR

— Shayne Simon (@SimonShayne) December 18, 2021

“To the Notre Dame Family, Coaches, Training, and Support Staff, Thank you for all you do to make Notre Dame the uniquely special place it is,” he wrote. “To my teammates, thank you for creating an amazing brotherhood that has carried this program to greater heights. Coach Freeman, thank you, especially, for your support. I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal as I continue my college football journey. I am excited to close out my Notre Dame career by helping my teammates finish as Fiesta Bowl Champions.”

The only game action Simon saw this year was in the season-opening overtime victory over Florida State. The news of him entering the transfer portal does not come as a surprise.

In 2020, he played in 11 games, starting eight of those for the Fighting Irish. The New Jersey native had 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.

Simon made sure he let everyone know in his announcement that he’ll be staying with the team through the Fiesta Bowl, where they’ll face No. 9 Oklahoma State on Saturday, Jan. 1 at 1:00 PM EST.

In the 2018 recruiting class, Simon was rated as a four-star prospect by all the major recruiting services. He attended St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey).

A few of his high school teammates from the class of 2018, Justin and Jayson Ademilola, joined him at Notre Dame. Simon was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game at the end of his high school career.

When Simon originally chose Notre Dame, he picked them over offers from Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, and others. Now he’ll search for a new home in the college football landscape.