Just looked at top 35 transfer portal players. No centers, we need to pull one out of a hat

Pretty cool video Notre Dame put together here:

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Former 5* from Chicago is now in portal.

“Hot” probably has become an understatement when it comes to Notre Dame catcher Vinny Martinez’s last 10 games in an Irish baseball uniform.

The Stanford grad transfer crushed a pitch from lefty Dominic Fritton for a homer run to right field, with Carter Putz aboard and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, to break a 7-7 tie as the Irish opened a key ACC series with a 9-7 victory Thursday night at Eck Stadium.

Lefty Will Mercer set down the Wolfpack 1-2-3 in the ninth for his third save.

Martinez’s 10th home run capped a 3-for-5 night for him and perpetuates a 10-game ascent in which his season batting average has risen from .169 to .297. His numbers in that stretch: 19-for-36 (.528) with six home runs, 15 RBIs, 12 runs scored and seven walks.

He’s now tied for the team lead in homers and RBIs (32).

Fritton, with a 3-2 record and 2.55 ERA coming into the game, had been NC State’s most effective pitcher this season.

Notre Dame (26-17, 14-11 ACC) moves into sole possession of second place in the ACC Atlantic Division with five conference games left. If the season ended today, the Irish would be the fourth seed in the ACC Tournament, with the top four teams gaining a huge advantage in the tourney’s pool-play phase.

The Wolfpack (29-15, 8-13) were projected as one of the league’s 11 teams to make the NCAA Tournament field in DI Baseball’s latest bracketology. The Irish are in the field too, but much further away from the bubble than NC State.

Zach Prajzner joined in the offensive pyrotechnics with a 2-for-4 night and three RBIs. Putz had two doubles among his four at-bats.

Irish right fielder Brooks Coetzee got hit by a pitch twice Thursday night for the nation’s leading 27th and 28th times. The ACC record is 29 by Wake Forest’s Ryder Mathias (2005). The Notre Dame record is 31, set by Brett Lilley in 2008. Lilley is the NCAA’s career hit-by-pitch king with 109.

Scott Davis of Delaware State (2012) and Brian Harris of Vanderbilt (2010) share the NCAA single-season record with 37.

Sophomore righty Radek Birkholz (1-3) picked up his first win of the season with 3 ⅓ innings of effective relief. He gave up a solo home run in the seventh to Payton Green that tied the game at 7-7, as his only hit surrendered. He walked three and struck out two.

Game two is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. EDT, with the series finale set for Sunday at 2 p.m.

BOX SCORE

Notre Dame CBs coach offered Mark Zackery IV, a DB from Indianapolis Ben Davis High School. Zackery visited ND last November for the Clemson game.

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In honor of 5/5, I broke down the five most important targets remaining for Notre Dame's 2024 class.

Watch List mania doesn't really pick up momentum until July, but the Lott IMPACT Trophy is one of the early ones. Morrison is one of 42 players named to the watch list for the "Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, a player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field." It's the 20th year for the award, and Manti Te'o (2012) is Notre Dame's only previous winner.

Here are the 42 candidates:

JAISHAWN BARHAM, Maryland, LB, 6-3, 230, Soph., District Heights, MD: Returning Freshman All-American, All-Big Ten honorable mention. Team high 6.5 tackles for a loss, 58 total tackles led all Big Ten freshmen.

CHICO BENNETT Jr., Virginia, DE, 6-4, 252, Sr., Ashbury, Va.: Led Cavaliers with 7 sacks; All-ACC Honorable Mention.

COBEE BRYANT, Kansas, CB, 6-0, 178, Jr., Evergreen, Ala: All Big-12; Had 34 by tackles; 11 passes defended; 5 career interceptions.

CALEN BULLOCK, USC, DB, 6-3, 190, Jr., Pasadena, Calif.: Returning PFF 1st team All-American. 87 career tackles, with 7 interceptions (one for a TD), and 8 PBU. Was a Freshman All-American in 2021.

JORDAN BURCH, Oregon, DE, Transfer from South Carolina. 7.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and 3 passes defended in 2022. SEC 1st Year Academic Honor Roll.

BEN BYWATER, BYU, LB, 6-3, 230, Jr. Salt Lake City: On Lott Watch list last year Player of Week once; Led Cougars in tackles (98) for second straight year; Has 215 career tackles; Academic All-District; Eagle Scout.

ABDUL CARTER, Penn State, LB, 6-3, 249, Soph, Philadelphia, PA: Returning Freshman All-American and All-Big Ten. 6.5 sacks (4th Big Ten), 10.5 tackles for a loss. One of 8 Nittany Lions all-time with 6+ sacks and 10+ TFL in a season, 2nd ever by a freshman. Volunteer tutor.

BARRETT CARTER, Clemson, LB, 6-1, 225, Jr., Suwanee, Ga.: Pre-season All-American; All-ACC, 10.5 tackles for loss last year: ACC Honor Roll; Dabo Swinney calls him “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.”

DeWAYNE CARTER, Duke, DL, 6-3, 303, R Sr, Pickertington, OH: Team Captain. 36 tackles last season, 11 for a loss, including 5.5 sacks. Also forced and recovered 3 fumbles, with 4 passes defended. Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee Student-Athlete Connection Group.

JOSH CELISCAR, UCF, DE, 6-4, 265, Sr.,Winter Haven, Fla.: Has 104 career tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 5 forced fumbles; Dean’s List; AAC All-Academic team; Pre-finance major.

MASON COBB, USC, LB, 6-0, 230, Provo, Utah: Transfer from Oklahoma State. In three seasons with the Cowboys he had 108 tackles, 16.0 for a loss. All-Big 12 & Academic All-Big 12.

JUNIOR COLSON, Michigan, LB, 6-2, 235 Jr, Brentwood, Tenn.: Returning 2nd team All-Big Ten. Team leader in tackles (101), 6 for a loss, with 2 sacks. Born in Haiti, moved to US at 9.

TOMMY EICHENBERG, Ohio State, LB, 6-2, 239, Sr, Cleveland, Ohio: Lott Trophy Finalist. Team Captain. Buckeye’s leading tackler. 186 career tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 32 games played and 17 starts. 3x Academic All-Big Ten.

JUSTIN FLOWE, Arizona, LB, 6-2, Jr., Upland, Calif.: Transfer from Oregon. Consensus 5-star prospect out of high school. 35 tackles, 2.5 for a loss in 10 games.

JAYLAN FORD, Texas, LB, 6-3, 234, Sr., Frisco, Tx: 119 tackles, 10 tackles for loss; All-Big 12, 3rd team All-American; 3-time conference defensive Player of the Week; Academic All-Big 12.

MARCUS FUQUA, Buffalo, S, 6-0, 195, Southfield, Mi.; 3rd team All-American; Tied for national lead with 7 interceptions (3 in one game when he was National Defensive Player of the Week); All-MAC first team.

CEDRIC GRAY, North Carolina, LB, 6-3, 230, Sr., Charlotte, NC.: His 145 tackles were most among Power 5 schools; Had 12 tackles for loss; Team Captain; 2nd team All-American; All-ACC.

JOHNNY HODGES, TCU, LB, 6-2, 240, Sr., Darnestown, Md., Led team with 87 tackles; 9.5 tackles for loss; All-Big 12; Navy transfer.

TY’RON HOPPER, Missouri, LB, 6-2, 221, Sr., Shelby, N.C.: Began career at Florida. 77 tackles, 14 for a loss, with 6 QB hurries last season.

TRAVIS HUNTER, Colorado, DB, 6-1, 165, Soph, Suwannee, GA. Former #1 overall recruit, top ranked transfer in NCAA (Jackson State). Jerry Rice award finalist (Top FCS freshman). 20 tackles, 10 PBU, 2 INT, forced fumble.

PATRICK JENKINS, Tulane, DL, 6-2, 305, Sr., New Orleans: Led team with 9 tackles for loss last season; 38 total tackles. Transfer from TCU.

WILL JOHNSON, Michigan, DB, 6-2, 194, Soph. Detroit, MI: 27 tackles, 2.0 for a loss and 3 INT. Freshman All-American. Has drawn some comparisons to Patrick Surtain II. Son of former Michigan standout Deon Johnson.

KAMREN KINCHENS, Miami, S, 5-11, 200, Jr., Miami: All-American last season; Had historic day vs. Georgia Tech with 3 interceptions, one for a 99-yard touchdown return; Led team in tackles with 59, 6 interceptions on season.

KALEN KING, Penn State, CB, 5-11, 190. Jr, Detroit, MI: PFF Top rated CB in 2022 (93.3 rating). 18 PBUs, 3rd most nationally, led Big Ten. 2nd Team All-American.

LAIATU LATU, UCLA, DE, 6-4, 265, RJr., Sacramento, Calif.: Led Bruins with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, 8th nationally in sacks per game. 1st Team All-Pac 12. College Football Comeback Player of the Year after missing previous two seasons due to injury.

DWIGHT MCGLOTHERN, Arkansas, DB, 6-2, 190, Sr, Houston, TX: 4 interceptions, led team in 2022. Plus 10 PBUs, 52 Tackles, 43 solo. All-SEC 2nd team. Transferred from LSU prior to 2022.

GA’QUINCY ‘Kool-Aid’ McKINSTRY, Alabama, CB, 6-1, 195, Jr. Birmingham, Alabama-: Returning All-American, Bednarik Semifinalist. Led team with 15 pass breakups to go with two fumble recoveries and an interception. Also returns punts. SEC Academic Honor Roll, Projected top 10 pick.

MALACHI MOORE, Alabama, DB, 6-0, 198, Sr., Trussville, AL. 5 PBUs, 1.5 sacks in 2022 with 31 tackles and a blocked punt for a touchdown. Has dealt with injuries. SEC All-Academic team.

BENJAMIN MORRISON, Notre Dame, CB, 6-0, 170, So., Phoenix: Had 3 interceptions vs, Boston College and 2 vs. Clemson, one for a 96-yard touchdown return; National Player of the Week twice last season as a freshman; Frosh All-American.

JER’ZHAN NEWTON, Illinois, DT, 6-2, 295, Jr. St. Petersburg, FL.: Returning All-American, 2x All-Big Ten, top returning DL in nation (PFF). Led nations top scoring defense in tackles for a loss (14) and sacks (5.5), with 11 QB hurries, and let the nation in QB hits (19). Academic All-Big Ten.

JOSH NEWTON, TCU, CB, 6-0, 195, Sr., Monroe, La.: All-Big 12; Had 15 passes defended, 3 interceptions, one for 57-yard touchdown return.

COLLIN OLIVER, Oklahoma State, DE, 6-2, 235, Oklahoma City, Jr., All-Big 12 (second team); All-Big 12 Academic Team; Frosh Defensive Player of the Year in the Big-12; Had 12 quarterback hurries, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks last year.

HAROLD PERKINS JR., LSU, LB, 6-1, 220, Soph, New Orleans, LA.: Former 5 star prospect. 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 fumbles forced, 3 passes defended, interception. SEC All-Freshman team.

KARENE REID, Utah, LB, 6-0, 227, Jr., American Fork, Utah: First team All-Pac 12. CSC Academic All-District. 72 tackles (9.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks), one forced fumble, one recovery, an interception, three pass breakups and a QB hurry. Brother, Gabe, is also a standout for the Utes.

MAASON SMITH, LSU, DL, 6-6, 310, R Soph, Houma, LA. 2021 Freshman All-American, suffered season ending knee injury in the 2022 opener. Top D-Line recruit in nation out of high school.

MALAKI STARKS Georgia, S, 6-1, 205, Soph. Jefferson, GA: Led Bulldogs with 7 PBUs and was Georgia’s third leading tackler (68), with 2 interceptions. National Freshman of the Year Finalist. 5 star recruit. PFFs #3 returning safety.

DANNY STUTSMAN, Oklahoma, LB, 6-4, 240, Jr., Windermere, Fl.: Had 118 tackles, 4th in the nation; 18 tackles vs. Texas Tech; 9.5 tackles for loss; Honorable Mention All-Big 12.

BRALEN TRICE, Washington, DE, 6-4, 267, Jr., Phoenix, AZ. Returning 1st team All-Pac 12. 9 sacks last season, 3rd in the Pac 12, also T-4 in the conference with 12.0 tackles for a loss. Projected 1st round pick.

J.T. TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State, DE, 6-4, 270, Jr., Edgewood, Wash.: Six tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and fumble recovery, and one touchdown, top rated defensive recruit in school history. Projected 1st round pick.

JARED VERSE, Florida State, DE, 6-4, 250, Sr., Dayton, Ohio: Returning All-American. Had 17 tackles for losses and 9 sacks last year; Florida State Defensive Player of the Year; Projected to be Top 10 pick in NFL draft, but opted to return for senior season.

DEONE WALKER, Kentucky, DL, 6-6, 348, Soph, Detroit, Mich. Freshman-All American, Freshman of the Year Semifinalist. 40 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 5 hurries,2 PBUs and a forced fumble.

NATHANIEL WATSON, Mississippi State, LB, 6-2, 240, Maplesville, AL: Returning 2nd team All-SEC. SEC 2nd leading tackler (113) and team best 12.0 for a loss with 6 sacks. 2020 Academic Honor Roll.

@Eric Hansen and I will go live on YouTube on Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT for the next edition of Football Never Sleeps.

We'll discuss the importance of May for Notre Dame's football program, if the Irish can find answers in the transfer portal, how many June freshmen can make a difference, the extended hot streak on the recruiting trail and more.

We hope you join us live with questions or submit some ahead of time. Hit the bell to set a reminder to get notified when we go live.

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If you'd like to submit questions, make sure you click through so you're watching on YouTube's site or in the YouTube app if you're on mobile. You can do so by clicking the headline at the top of the embedded video above. So where it says "Football Never Sleeps: ..." Or there should be spot that says "Watch on YouTube" in the bottom left.

Then to submit questions, there's a chat box to the right of the video on desktop or below the video on mobile.

Click here to subscribe to Inside ND Sports on YouTube.

Marcus Freeman had a special guest with him tonight in Charleston, S.C.

Gino Guidugli will be seeing more young quarterbacks with bright futures. Here's where the Notre Dame coaches are expected on the recruiting trail.

Notre Dame's first scholarship offer for a quarterback in the 2026 class went Wednesday morning to Carrollton (Ga.) High star Julian Lewis.

Lewis was named 2022 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year after leading Carrollton to a state runner-up finish last year. Lewis was prolific in completing 283 of his 432 passes (65.5%) for 4,118 yards and 48 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. In five playoff games, the freshman threw for 1,519 yards and 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Lewis has already reported 37 scholarship offers. He became just the eighth 2026 recruit to report a Notre Dame offer.

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Defensive line coach Al Washington's travels in Georgia today produced a new offer to 2025 ATH London Merritt. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect now has 40 offers.

He's a bit undersized currently, but he could grow into a few different defensive line spots.

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The commitment train keeps rolling for Notre Dame men's basketball.

After the Irish added all three of Penn State's former 2023 signees the last three days — Braeden Shrewsberry, Carey Booth and Logan Imes — Notre Dame has added its first commitment in the 2024 class.

Cole Certa, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Bloomington (Ill.) Central Catholic, announced his pledge to the Irish on Thursday.

Story:


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Three Notre Dame coaches are expected to be in Texas today.

As noted in this morning's Trail Tracks, defensive coordinator Al Golden is in Alabama today. His travels have produced an offer for 2026 LB Anthony Jones at Mobile St. Paul's.

Jones has already reported 18 offers including Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

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One day after quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli extended Notre Dame's first 2026 quarterback offer to Julian Lewis, Guidugli handed out another 2026 quarterback offer Thursday. This time to Nashville Christian School's Jared Curtis, who we said in this morning's Trail Tracks would be getting a visit from Guidugli.

Curtis completed 59.1% of his passes (123-208) for 2,285 yards and 27 touchdowns with eight interceptions in 12 games as a freshman last season.

Notre Dame is Curtis' 13th offer including Alabama, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina and Texas A&M.

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2023 shooting guard commit Braeden Shrewsberry was announced as a member of the Pennsylvania sportswriters Class 6A All-State 1st team Wednesday.

Shrewsberry led State College (Pa.) Area High to a 25-3 record and averaged 17.4 points, 4.7 assists and 3.8 assists per game. He scored 20 or more points in 12 games.

Shrewsberry made his commitrment to the Irish and his father, head coach Micah Shrewsberry, official Monday. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 40 shooting guard in the 2023 recruiting class.

Micah congratulated his son on Twitter.

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Braeden is also one of 25 finalists for Pennsylvania's Mr. Basketball. The winner will be announced on May 27.

Lorenzo Styles will reunite with younger brother Sonny Styles on the Buckeyes roster.

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We mentioned in today's Trail Tracks that Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden would be stopping by Dallas South Oak Cliff for 2025 linebacker Kelvion Riggins. The Irish have now offered a second 2025 linebacker in Jayden Shelton.

Notre Dame is one of 13 offers for Shelton including LSU, Michigan, USC, Tennessee and Washington.

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Thanks to all who submitted questions for me and @Eric Hansen on our latest podcast. These are the questions we answered with timestamps.

29:44 • Marie Biafore - @biafore_marie: As it turns out, neither Bama QB entered the transfer portal, making the fight for the starting position even tougher. Additionally, both those guys are young with multiple years so if Buckner doesn’t win the starter, he would not be the heir apparent for 2024. Risky decision at best. Do you think Rees promised him at the very least a package so he would get some on-field playing time if he didn’t win the starting job, and since it is unlikely ND was going to do that it could’ve had some influence on his decision?

34:42 • @MikeDevoy1: Diggs jumping into the portal was quite a surprise. Any insights on what was behind his move? How confident are you in the abilities of Payne and Price to fill that RB 1B role? We don’t want to wear Estime out with 30 Carrie’s a game.

38:28 • @drewbrennan77: Three years from now, rank in order who will have the best college career: Kollie, Styles, Buchner and Diggs.

43:01 • @CharlesWWolfe: During the last regime there was a perception that BK was more focused on his recruits rather than Weis holdovers; are we seeing something similar today, but now there’s transfer portal politics to navigate?

45:49 • Nathan Reynolds - @Enforcers2117: After losing Styles and Kaleb Smith, one assumes we must be a couple guys short in the wr room.. do you think ND goes after Kaleb Brown from Ohio st. ND offered him in 2019 or other WRs… also are they any Safety’s that have entered the portal that ND may have an eye on?

49:52 • @Russo1957: Hey Guys, do you think ND will add a QB this year? I still have nightmares from last year!!!

52:24 • Michael Kenney - @domer747: The defense has lost several key starters from a defense that improved in 2022. Based on what we saw from spring practice, do you expect the defense to re-load and improve again in 2023? What are the biggest defensive strengths and concerns going into the season?

56:20 • ND Fan in an unholy land - @elkman1966: Do you have any idea why Baptiste did not play in the BG game?

57:18 • Marie Biafore - @biafore_marie: Can you comment on the safety board that is being recruited? Many of the safeties like Urlacher are not highly ranked, do you feel that ND is betting on potential with these kids or do you think they feel that they are incorrectly ranked, or is this the best they can do at safety

1:01:03 • Brian Farmer - @BrianFa85ND: How are we going to compete in the future and is ND going to keep making ridiculous schedules? Is Notre Dame all about money and not winning national championships?

1:03:38 • @AllenSturgill: Any update on the NBC contract negotiations?

1:04:47 • @OneFootDown: Would you rather own an eagle, a falcon, or a hawk?

They’re courtesy of BetOnline (www.BetOnline.ag, Twitter: @betonline_ag).

These odds are fluid and could change leading up to each game. Here’s the link for real-time game lines: https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/football/ncaa.

Saturday, Sep 23, 2023
· Ohio State (-7) at Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct 14, 2023
· USC at Notre Dame (-1)
Saturday, Nov 04, 2023
· Notre Dame at Clemson (-4½)

Any word on Irish free agent signings?