Marcus Freeman says cornerback Jaden Mickey will redshirt, enter transfer portal this offseason

The Blue and Gold’s Tyler Horka reports Monday that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman revealed some surprising news during his press conference. Announcing that cornerback Jaden Mickey will redshirt this season with the intent of entering the NCAA transfer portal this offseason.

Mickey redshirts in the midst of his junior year for the Fighting Irish, appearing in 28 games in his career with Notre Dame, including the first four games of the 2024 season. Also making three starts between his freshman and sophomore seasons in South Bend and now ending his career with Notre Dame with 23 tackles, four defended passes, and an interception he returned for a 43-yard touchdown.

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“Jaden Mickey made a decision that he felt was best for him,” Freeman said. “For me to do anything other than support him would be selfish… I wish him the best of luck. I love him.”

Mickey played high school football at Centennial High School in Corona, CA where he was a four-star prospect. Ranked the No. 22 cornerback and the No. 185 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

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Through Notre Dame’s first four games of the season, Mickey recorded three tackles and broke up one pass for the Fighting Irish. Playing in 82 total snaps and 23 in the team’s most recent game against Miami (OH) before declaring that he was parting ways with the program.

“Coaches, teammates, staff members, and supporters: I can’t put into words how grateful I am for how you have loved me and my family,” Mickey wrote in a statement. “Every up and down was worth it and all that my younger self could have asked for. With a heavy heart, I will be redshirting this year with plans on transferring after I graduate in the spring. This isn’t risk, this is faith! Thank you Jesus!”

Mickey redshirting allows him to enter the transfer portal and join a new program this offseason with two seasons of eligibility remaining in his college career.