Notre Dame and Ohio State: A Modern Blend of High-Impact Transfers and Traditional Roster Building

The landscape of college football has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with the transfer portal becoming a powerful tool for teams looking to augment their rosters. Traditional roster building, which primarily focuses on high school recruits, has always been a central strategy for elite programs. However, as the NCAA introduced the transfer portal, schools like Notre Dame and Ohio State have adapted to incorporate this new avenue for talent acquisition. By combining high-impact transfers with traditional recruiting methods, both institutions have crafted successful programs capable of competing for national championships.

The Rise of the Transfer Portal

Before delving into how Notre Dame and Ohio State have navigated this balance, it’s important to understand the origins and influence of the transfer portal. Established in 2018, the NCAA Transfer Portal was created to allow student-athletes to explore transfer opportunities while maintaining eligibility. Under the old system, players had to get permission from their current schools to transfer, often limiting their options. The new portal system removed that restriction, allowing athletes to openly enter their names and be recruited by other schools.

The portal’s impact was immediate and dramatic. Programs with strong recruiting networks and deep pockets, like Alabama, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, were quick to capitalize on the new reality. Some schools turned to the transfer portal as a way to fill immediate gaps in their rosters, while others, like Ohio State and Notre Dame, used it to complement their more traditional recruiting strategies.

Notre Dame’s Approach: High-Impact Transfers and Stability

Notre Dame, under head coach Marcus Freeman, has traditionally been known for its methodical, long-term approach to roster building. The Fighting Irish have always prioritized a mix of high school recruiting and player development, emphasizing strong character, academic excellence, and football IQ. This philosophy is reflected in their consistently strong recruiting classes, which have consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally.

However, with the advent of the transfer portal, Notre Dame recognized that it could augment its roster by targeting specific needs in a way that would complement their traditional recruiting methods. Freeman, who took over as head coach in 2022 after Brian Kelly’s departure, has shown a willingness to blend the best of both worlds—recruiting high school talent and bolstering the roster with impactful transfers.

One of Notre Dame’s most notable successes in the transfer portal came in 2023 when the program secured several key players to plug immediate gaps. The Fighting Irish made significant moves in positions that would allow them to compete with elite programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia, including addressing the quarterback position.

Key Transfer Additions

1. Sam Hartman (Quarterback): The most significant transfer acquisition for Notre Dame in recent years was quarterback Sam Hartman from Wake Forest. Hartman, who had a stellar career with the Demon Deacons, brought a wealth of experience and a dynamic passing game to South Bend. His addition to the roster was pivotal for Notre Dame’s offensive aspirations, particularly as they sought to strengthen their passing attack in a conference that features high-powered offenses like those at Ohio State and USC.

   Hartman’s presence on the roster gave Freeman the option to run a more diverse offensive system, one that could potentially rival the best in the country. It also allowed the program to bypass the growing pains typically associated with developing a young quarterback.

2. Benjamin Morrison (Defensive Back): Notre Dame also capitalized on transfers to shore up its defense. While the team had strong defensive recruits, adding players like Benjamin Morrison—who transferred from California—provided immediate depth and experience. Morrison’s experience in a competitive Pac-12 environment allowed him to seamlessly step into the Notre Dame secondary, where his physicality and playmaking ability helped solidify the defense.
3. Chris Smith (Linebacker): Another key acquisition for Notre Dame was linebacker Chris Smith from Tennessee. Smith’s ability to play in multiple defensive schemes made him a versatile asset for Freeman’s defense. His leadership and veteran presence were important in helping guide the younger players on the team and ensured that the Fighting Irish defense maintained its strong performance throughout the season.

These transfers allowed Freeman to address immediate needs without compromising the long-term success of the program. Notre Dame’s philosophy still centers on developing players and prioritizing high school recruiting, but the portal allowed them to make strategic moves that would enhance their chances of competing for championships.

Ohio State’s Approach: Mastering the Art of the Transfer Portal

Ohio State has long been one of the premier programs in college football, with its tradition of elite recruiting under Urban Meyer and, more recently, Ryan Day. The Buckeyes have consistently fielded some of the nation’s top recruiting classes, often securing the best high school players across the country.

However, Ryan Day and his staff have also embraced the transfer portal to ensure Ohio State remains on the cutting edge of college football. With the introduction of the portal, Ohio State sought to enhance its already talented roster by selectively adding key transfers who could make an immediate impact. These players often came from high-profile programs or had the kind of game-breaking talent that could elevate the Buckeyes’ chances of competing for national titles.

Ohio State has used the transfer portal not only to add depth but also to directly address specific weaknesses or areas of need. Whether bolstering the defense, adding depth to the offensive line, or bringing in playmakers, Ohio State’s strategy has been a textbook example of how to utilize the portal without over-relying on it.

Key Transfer Additions

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (Running Back): One of the most impactful transfers for Ohio State in recent years was running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Coming over from Georgia Tech, Gibbs brought the kind of explosiveness to Ohio State’s backfield that had been missing in certain games. With a roster already full of talented running backs, Gibbs gave the team an additional dimension to their offensive scheme, particularly in passing situations where he could line up as a receiver.
2. Trey Sermon (Running Back): Another key addition from the transfer portal was Trey Sermon from Oklahoma. Sermon played a pivotal role in Ohio State’s 2020 run to the national championship game, particularly in the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff. Sermon’s ability to grind out tough yards in critical moments proved invaluable to the Buckeyes, and his presence in the backfield solidified the team’s offensive attack.
3. Jahari Rogers (Defensive Back): Ohio State also targeted key transfers for its defense, such as defensive back Jahari Rogers. Rogers, who transferred from Louisiana, added depth to the secondary and was able to compete immediately for a starting role. Ohio State’s defense, which had occasionally been criticized for inconsistency, benefited from Rogers’ experience, improving the secondary’s performance against high-powered offenses in the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff.
4. Courtney Lark (Wide Receiver): In an effort to maintain its offensive firepower, Ohio State also went after wide receiver Courtney Lark from Houston. Lark’s experience in a high-tempo offense gave him an edge in adapting quickly to Ohio State’s system, where he became a reliable target for quarterback C.J. Stroud. His contributions helped deepen Ohio State’s already stacked receiving corps, giving Stroud more weapons to work with.

Ohio State’s ability to selectively add impactful transfers, while continuing to recruit high school talent at an elite level, has allowed them to stay at the forefront of college football. The transfer portal has not only enhanced their roster but also allowed them to address immediate needs without sacrificing long-term stability.

The Balance of Traditional Recruiting and Transfer Portal Success

The success of both Notre Dame and Ohio State can be attributed to their ability to balance traditional recruiting with the strategic use of the transfer portal. While both programs continue to prioritize building relationships with high school recruits and developing players over time, they have recognized the value of adding transfers who can make an immediate impact.

For Notre Dame, this balance has been crucial in closing the talent gap with teams like Alabama and Ohio State. The Fighting Irish have used the portal to supplement their strong, homegrown talent base, particularly in positions where they may not have been able to secure immediate-impact high school recruits. Ohio State, on the other hand, has used the portal more aggressively to target specific positions, enhancing areas of their roster where they had depth but needed an immediate boost.

Both programs have maintained their reputations for developing talent and fostering strong team cultures, yet they have been forward-thinking in their use of the transfer portal. This has enabled them to stay competitive in an ever-evolving college football landscape, where the top programs are often measured not just by their recruiting classes but also by their ability to adapt and utilize new strategies.