Notre Dame wide receiver Jayden Thomas enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Wide receiver Jayden Thomas has one year of eligibility remaining, and he’ll be using it elsewhere. The rising fifth-year senior has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Thomas has been a regular contributor for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the past three seasons, but didn’t become the impact pass catcher that some thought he had the potential to be. During his 43-game career with Notre Dame, he hauled in 64 passes for 838 yards with 7 touchdowns. For teams looking for a one-year rental wide receiver in the portal, Thomas will be a hot commodity.

The 6-2, 218-pounder logged 340 snaps during the 2024-25 season according to PFF. That was fifth-most among Irish wide receivers behind Jordan Faison (401), Jaden Greathouse (493), Beaux Collins (670) and Kris Mitchell (478). And with Notre Dame bringing in a receiver similar to Thomas in the transfer portal (Malachi Fields, a 6-4, 220-pounder from Virginia), the writing was on the wall for Thomas.

Thomas had 18 receptions for 167 yards with 2 touchdowns as a senior in 2024 and only had one regular season contest where he didn’t record a reception (Florida State Nov. 9). In the Irish’s last three contests in the postseason, Thomas failed to post a reception. He didn’t have more than two catches in a single game and his single-game high in receiving yards was 36 against Purdue Sept. 14.

The Peach State native started 12 games in his Irish career, including seven as a sophomore in 2022, which was his best season statistically. He hauled in 25 passes for 361 yards with 3 touchdowns.

His junior season was his best from a PFF standpoint, logging an offensive grade of 74.5. Thomas caught 21 passes for 310 yards with 2 touchdowns that season.

He did not record a reception his first season at Notre Dame in 2021.

Thomas was a coveted recruit out of Pace Academy in Atlanta, picking the Irish over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Penn State, Florida State and others.

He ranked as the nation’s No. 440 overall player and No. 63 wide receiver according to the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking.

Notre Dame has the following wide receivers on scholarship for the 2025 season: Malachi Fields, Will Pauling, Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, KK Smith, Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert, Logan Saldate, Elijah Buress, Jerome Bettis Jr. and Scrap Richardson, barring any other transfer portal departures.

Thomas’ announcement of entering the portal

“I would like to start by saying Thank You to the entire Notre Dame family for giving me the experience of a lifetime as a student-athlete. I am especially grateful to my coaches, professors, and my friends, but most importantly to my brothers on the field for this incredible journey over the last four years. No one knows what we have been through together, and I will cherish every second spent. I have grown as a person and as a man, and I will always be proud to say that I have earned my degree from Notre Dame. I will cherish the relationships that I have made along the way and they will always hold a special place in my heart. My love for this University and for this program will never waver.

I have accomplished all that I have set out to do here at Notre Dame and feel that I have made a positive impact and left my mark on this program. After much thought and prayer I have made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal as a graduate.

Love Thee Forever,
JT
Joshua 1:9