Former Notre Dame cornerback Ryan Barnes commits to UMass
Former Notre Dame cornerback Ryan Barnes will continue his collegiate career at UMass, he announced Monday. Barnes entered the NCAA transfer portal in early December with two years of eligibility remaining.
Barnes got to Notre Dame as a three-star recruit in the class of 2021 from Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard High School. He was the No. 55 corner in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking. He never got into the regular rotation for a Fighting Irish defense whose best personnel group over the last few seasons might have been the cornerbacks.
Barnes didn’t play over starters Benjamin Morrison and Cam Hart, and he was passed up on the depth chart by younger players in Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray. With Thomas Harper and Clarence Lewis controlling reps at nickel, there wasn’t a spot for Barnes to fit in.
He played 16 snaps in two games for the Irish in 2023. His appearances came against Tennessee State and Wake Forest, two routs for Notre Dame that afforded reserves playing time in the fourth quarter. In three years, Barnes played in seven games. He logged a total of 19 defensive snaps and 20 special teams plays.
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Barnes was one of 12 former Notre Dame players to enter the transfer portal since the end of the 2023 regular season. Many of them have chosen their next destinations. Here is a look at all 12 portalers and where they will suit up next.
Notre Dame 2023-24 transfer portal defections
- Defensive end Nana Osafo-Mensah (TCU)
- Wide receiver Chris Tyree (Virginia)
- Center Zeke Correll (NC State)
- Defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina (Cal)
- Wide receiver Tobias Merriweather (Cal)
- Safety Ramon Henderson (Undecided)
- Wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. (UCLA)
- Wide receiver Braylon James (TCU)
- Safety Antonio Carter II (Undecided)
- Tight end Holden Staes (Tennessee)
- Cornerback Ryan Barnes (UMass)
- Offensive lineman Michael Carmody (Undecided)
The Irish made up for some of the losses by acquiring eight players from the portal. Of course, the 23 incoming freshmen who signed in the class of 2024 will offset the losses too. Here is a look at all of the incoming transfers, though, including which programs they’re coming from.
2024 Irish roster additions from the transfer portal
- Quarterback Riley Leonard (Duke)
- Wide receiver Beaux Collins (Clemson)
- Kicker Mitch Jeter (South Carolina)
- Wide receiver Jayden Harrison (Marshall)
- Defensive end R.J. Oben (Duke)
- Defensive back Jordan Clark (Arizona State)
- Defensive back Rod Heard II (Northwestern)
- Wide receiver Kris Mitchell (Florida International)
