Following Notre Dame's conclusion of the 2024 season, the focus has shifted to preparing for the upcoming year. The transfer portal has become a crucial tool in managing the roster. Recently, three players have entered the portal, signaling significant changes ahead. These departures will impact the team’s dynamics and scholarship distribution for the 2025 season.

Departing Players and Their Contributions

The recent announcements have highlighted the movement of three key players from the Fighting Irish squad. Each player has left an indelible mark on the team during their tenure. Understanding their roles and contributions provides insight into the shifts within the program.

Jayden Thomas, Deion Colzie, and Sam Pendleton have all decided to explore new opportunities through the transfer portal. Thomas, a versatile wide receiver, has been a consistent presence over four seasons. He accumulated 64 receptions for 838 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite facing injury challenges, Colzie managed to contribute with 21 catches for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Pendleton, an offensive lineman, started seven games and showed promise early in his career. His decision to transfer comes after being replaced by younger talent. Each player retains eligibility, offering them valuable playing time elsewhere.

Scholarship Distribution and Future Prospects

With these departures, the scholarship chart for the 2025 season reveals an evolving landscape. The roster now reflects adjustments across various positions, impacting depth and strategic planning. This section delves into the detailed breakdown of scholarships by position and class year.

The updated chart showcases a balanced distribution of scholarships among freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and fifth/sixth-year players. Key positions like quarterback, running back, tight end, and defensive tackle highlight potential areas of strength and need. For instance, the quarterback position features Blake Hebert as a freshman and Kenny Minchey as a junior, indicating depth but also room for development. Running backs Nolan James and Jerimiyah Love offer promising talent at different stages of their careers. The wide receiver corps, despite losing Thomas and Colzie, still boasts young talent such as Elijah Burress and Jerome Bettis Jr., providing optimism for the future. Overall, this chart serves as a roadmap for the team's strategic planning and recruitment efforts moving forward.