Marcus Freeman discusses taking transfers at Notre Dame: ‘We're always looking to improve the roster’
While Notre Dame’s roster has numerous position groups overflowing with talent, the onset of the one-time transfer rule opens up opportunities to plug the few holes the Irish have ahead of 2022.
During Wednesday’s media availability with the newly final Notre Dame coaching staff, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman addressed his intentions this offseason with the portal before the Irish report for summer camp.
“We’re always looking to improve the roster,” Freeman said. “I don’t know the number off of top of my head, but we evaluate every opportunity we have to improve our roster.”
What is Notre Dame looking for in transfer prospects?
It’s no secret Notre Dame has a specific set of requirements that transfer candidates must meet, particularly when it comes to undergraduate transfers.
“It’s all about the right fit,” Freeman said. “I had a wonderful meeting with admissions, and we have to understand that this university wants to be a national champion in terms of higher education. We all have to be aligned. We want to be national champions on a football field, and our university wants to be the best university in the world.”
Next, Freeman touted Northwestern transfer Brandon Joseph. He was that “right fit,” so the Irish were able to take him.
“We, as a coaching staff, have to identify the right fit in terms of looking at their transcript when they enter transfer portal first and then seeing if they would be a fit with our admissions.”
Joseph was just Notre Dame’s third undergraduate transfer since 2010; safety Alohi Gilman made the move from Navy in 2017, while former USC wide receiver Amir Carlisle transferred to Notre Dame in 2012.
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Where do the Irish need the most help?
Speaking of wide receivers, Notre Dame could definitely use another one.
The Irish currently have just eight scholarship wide receivers on the roster, including former walk-on Matt Salerno and incoming freshman Tobias Merriweather. Of the remaining six, three will be sophomores while the other three will be fifth or sixth-year seniors. It’s quite the combination.
There is no question: Notre Dame needs additional bodies at wideout. New wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey could bring someone in, and an option has popped up in the last 24 hours.
Former Johns Hopkins receiver Harrison Wellmann received a Notre Dame graduate transfer offer on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-1, 180 pound pass catcher had 183 receptions for 2,276 yards and 34 touchdowns over three seasons at Johns Hopkins. He is the high school teammate of Joseph, as the two played together at College Station (Texas) High.
Joseph could use another transfer in the secondary as well. The last time Notre Dame fans saw their defensive backs in action, they were being picked apart by what had previously been a rather pedestrian Oklahoma State offense in 2021. Six of Notre Dame’s nine returning cornerbacks will be freshmen or sophomores in 2022. A new veteran talent in the position group couldn’t hurt.
