Notre Dame Football Adds Eight New Players to Roster

Defensive line and receiving corps get major boost with transfers and top recruits

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:23pm

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program has significantly reshaped its roster with the addition of eight new players, a blend of transfers and highly-touted recruits poised to impact the team in the 2026 season and beyond. This influx of talent signals a clear intent to compete at the highest level, particularly after being excluded from the College Football Playoff in the previous season.

Why it matters

The strategic additions to the defensive line and receiving corps demonstrate Notre Dame's commitment to addressing key needs and building a more competitive roster. The transfer portal era has dramatically altered college football recruiting, and Notre Dame's ability to attract experienced players as well as top recruits positions the program to contend for a playoff berth in the coming seasons.

The details

Notre Dame has added four players projected to play on the defensive front: Francis Brewu, Tionne Gray, Keon Keeley, and Jayden Sanders. Brewu, a transfer from Pittsburgh, arrives with a proven track record, while Gray (Oregon) and Keeley (Alabama) were highly-rated recruits. The Irish also added wide receivers Mylan Graham (Ohio State) and Quincy Porter (Ohio State) to provide more options in the passing game. Kicker Spencer Porath (Purdue) and cornerback DJ McKinney (Colorado) round out the additions, providing stability on special teams and in the secondary.

  • The new players are expected to join the team for the 2026 season.

The players

Francis Brewu

A transfer from Pittsburgh, Brewu recorded 51 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in his two seasons with the Panthers. He was an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2025 and a PFF Freshman All-American in 2024.

Tionne Gray

A four-star prospect from Oregon, Gray contributed 18 tackles and two tackles for loss for the Ducks.

Keon Keeley

A five-star recruit from Alabama, Keeley registered 16 tackles and three sacks for the Crimson Tide.

Mylan Graham

A transfer from Ohio State, Graham recorded 93 receiving yards in 13 games for the Buckeyes.

Spencer Porath

A kicker from Purdue, Porath was perfect on 41 extra point attempts and converted 15 of 17 field goal attempts, including a long of 53 yards.

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What’s next

The new players are expected to join the team for the 2026 season and compete for starting roles and playing time.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's strategic additions to the defensive line, receiving corps, and special teams demonstrate the program's commitment to building a more competitive roster and contending for a playoff berth in the coming seasons. The transfer portal era has significantly impacted college football recruiting, and Notre Dame's ability to attract experienced players as well as top recruits positions the program for success.