Transfer portal: Notre Dame adds DL Elijah Hughes from USC
Notre Dame keeps rolling on in the NCAA Transfer Portal. The latest commitment for the Fighting Irish comes from 6-3, 290-pound interior defensive lineman Elijah Hughes.
He’s a rare underclassmen addition for Notre Dame as a former class of 2023 prospect who spent his first two seasons at USC. Hughes comes to Notre Dame with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
On Dec. 17, Hughes entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag. He played in 15 games for USC across two seasons with the Trojans. Hughes had three tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, during his two seasons there.
He played in just seven games for the Trojans in 2024, recording 6 tackles and 1 sack.
“Humbled and honored to announce that I am committing to Notre Dame football!” he posted on Instagram. “To my USC family, thank you for the love, memories, and support over the past few years. Being a Trojan has been an unforgettable journey, and I am forever grateful. I never imagined I’d find myself on the other side of this historic rivalry, but I am looking forward to the journey ahead. All glory to Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior for guiding my path.”
Hughes was a three-star prospect in the 2023 signing class. He was the No. 1029 overall prospect in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, playing at Washington-Liberty (Va.) High School. He “showed flashes” as a freshman, according to WeAreSC writer Erik McKinney.
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Hughes is Notre Dame’s seventh transfer portal commitment, joining North Carolina kicker Noah Burnette, defensive back Devonta Smith (Alabama), defensive lineman Jared Dawson (Louisville), wide receivers Will Pauling (Wisconsin) and Malachi Fields (Virginia) and tight end Ty Washington (Arkansas).
He will fight for rotational snaps on a Notre Dame interior defensive line that will also feature Dawson, Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish in 2025. Rubio will start the national championship Jan. 20, with graduate student defensive tackle Rylie Mills (knee) out for the season.
The following are the other scholarship defensive linemen with eligibility for next season: Sean Sevillano, Joseph Reiff, Davion Dixon, Gordy Sulfsted, Cole Mullins, Brenan Vernon, Devan Houstan and Armel Mukam. With such inexperience, it’s obvious why Notre Dame went to the portal to add another body to help right away.
Hughes is expected to enroll at Notre Dame for school on Monday and will participate in spring practices in South Bend.
