Transfer Portal: Former Duke DL R.J. Oben commits to Notre Dame football

Notre Dame plucked another Blue Devil out of the transfer portal. On Wednesday, former Duke defensive lineman R.J. Oben announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Oben entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Dec. 1, following five seasons with the Blue Devils. He has one year of eligibility remaining and will play strong-side defensive end for the Irish.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder is the fifth college player to announce his intention to transfer to Notre Dame. On Tuesday, Oben’s teammate, Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, revealed his decision to play for the Irish next season. Wide receivers Beaux Collins (Clemson) and Kris Mitchell (Florida International) and defensive back Jordan Clark (Arizona State) also pledged to Notre Dame.

“I love the coaching staff and feel like the defensive philosophy is one that I can excel in,” Oben told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “(Defensive line) Coach (Al) Washington displayed to me a solid plan for how I can improve as a player that I appreciated. (Defensive coordinator) Coach (Al) Golden also runs an NFL-style, top-tier defense that I’m excited to be a part of.

“I’ve had a familiarity with the school considering the history of players from Jersey and a couple from my high school specifically that have had success there, and I believe I can come to ND and succeed as well. The school’s national network and that level of exposure is unmatched.”

Oben is currently the No. 45 overall player and No. 5 EDGE in the transfer portal, according to On3’s transfer portal player rankings. He is considered a four-star collegiate prospect with a 90 rating. His On3 NIL Valuation annual value is $273,000, which ranks No. 290 among college football players.

In his Duke career, Oben appeared in 50 games and started in 32. He totaled 67 tackles (33 solo), 20 for loss and 14.5 sacks. He also had an interception, pass breakup and 5 forced fumbles in those outings.

According to Pro Football Focus, Oben registered his best season in 2022. He earned a 78.8 overall defensive grade during his senior campaign. He had 37 pressures (including 28 quarterback hurries) and 13 run stops. NCAA stats awarded him 20 tackles (11 solo), 6.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He also forced a pair of fumbles.

This past season, Oben notched a 68.5 PFF defensive grade. He had 27 pressures (14 quarterback hurries) and 9 run stops. His official 2023 season stats were 17 tackles (7 solo), 6 TFLs, 5 sacks and a pass breakup. 

Oben’s Notre Dame addition comes after the transfer portal departures of defensive end Nana Osafo-Mensah and defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina. Besides them, graduate student defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste — an Ohio State transfer — is out of collegiate eligibility.  

More on R.J. Oben’s collegiate career to date

Duke and Oben faced the Irish this season. The only official statistic he recorded against Notre Dame on Sept. 30 was a quarterback hurry. PFF also credited him with a quarterback hit. Oben played 19 snaps against the Irish. He lined up as a defensive end against right tackle Blake Fisher 12 times and left tackle Joe Alt on seven plays. 

Alt and Fisher opted out of the Sun Bowl and declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

On the season, Oben played 404 defensive snaps, all on the defensive line. About 90% of those snaps came at either the right or left defensive end. 

Oben began his college career at Duke in 2019. That year, he suffered a season-ending left shoulder injury. He played sparingly as a freshman and sophomore before his breakout junior season in 2021. In his third year with the Blue Devils, Oben played 12 games and made 10 starts. He had career highs in tackles (25) and tackles for loss (7).

After an outstanding senior season, PFF named Oben a preseason All-ACC third-team selection before his graduate year 2023 campaign.

As a high school recruit, Oben was a three-star prospect who ranked nationally as the No. 85 EDGE and the No. 18 prospect in New Jersey. He picked the Blue Devils over Boston College, Louisville, NC State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Virginia scholarship offers.

Oben is a product of St. Peters Prep in Jersey City, N.J.