By Tony Thomas
Notre Dame posted a 10-3 record in 2023, finishing on a 3-game winning streak. They return several starters and key contributors on both sides of the ball, including OL Pat Coogan, WR Jaden Greathouse, and S Xavier Watts, who hoisted the Bronco Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in college football and was named a unanimous All-American. In addition, the Fighting Irish went into the transfer portal and found some talented football players, including three who will make an impact in 2024.
WR Kris Mitchell
Previous School: FIU Golden Panthers
6’1”, 175 lbs.
In 2023, Kris Mitchell led Conference USA in receiving with 64 catches for 1,118 yards and six touchdowns, earning 2nd Team All-Conference USA. Mitchell posted four games over 100 yards receiving, including 201 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns in a win over Maine.
WHAT A CATCH!
One hand was all Kris Mitchell needed! ✋@FIUFootball | @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/diXwYck3au
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 26, 2023
For his collegiate career, Mitchell has 100 catches for 1,663 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mitchell fills a void left by the departure of WR Chris Tyree, who transferred to Virginia.
QB Riley Leonard
Previous School: Duke Blue Devils
6’4”, 212 lbs.
Riley Leonard played in only seven games in 2023, suffering a lower leg injury in a loss to Notre Dame and missing six of the final eight games. Leonard passed for 1,100 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing three INTs. In addition, he rushed for 352 yards and four scores. In 2022, Leonard gained over 3.600 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns, completing 64% of his passes.
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After a monumental win over Clemson, Riley Leonard enjoyed a buy game and completed all 12 of his pass attempts.
Degree of difficulty: low. But he played well.
Complete breakdown No. 16 in this series, via @BGInews: https://t.co/MQvwlLYmhr pic.twitter.com/qB7Hol8eE8
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) February 22, 2024
Leonard will be the most experienced person in the quarterback room for new Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock (formerly of LSU) and could be penciled in as QB1, taking over for the departing Sam Hartman. If Leonard can stay healthy, the Notre Dame offense will be in good hands.
CB Rod Heard II
Previous School: Northwestern Wildcats
5’11”, 190 lbs.
By the time August rolls around, Rod Heard II will have his master’s degree in hand and quite possibly a starting role in the Notre Dame secondary. In 2023, Heard was very active, making 85 tackles, four tackles for loss, intercepting a pass, breaking up four passes, and forcing two fumbles. Heard posted seven games of seven tackles or more, including 13 vs Purdue and 12 vs Utah.
BREAKING: Former Northwestern DB Rod Heard has officially Committed to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish!☘️
Heard is ranked as the #19 CB in the Transfer Portal Rankings according to 24/7 Sports. Heard will fill the void left behind by Thomas Harper in 2024.
Heard becomes the… pic.twitter.com/TgFPrOWwM0
— Ryan Fravel (@Fravel_Ryan) January 10, 2024
For his career, Heard has 194 tackles to his credit in 46 games played. Heard will provide depth and more importantly experience to a secondary unit that loses three key contributors.
Going into spring practice, Notre Dame will be young in the running back room, with three of their top returning rushers playing as freshmen last season. Someone will have to separate themselves from the pack and command more reps. With that said, the Fighting Irish will have the talent on both sides of the ball to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff.
