Notre Dame’s Transfer Portal Haul: How Quincy Porter and Keon’s Keeley Surprising Moves Could Change the Game

You can almost feel the electricity buzzing around Notre Dame these days — a program not just licking its chops but sharpening its claws to claw back into the College Football Playoff next season. After the gut punch of being snubbed from this year’s lineup, despite a sterling 10-2 record, the Fighting Irish are making bold moves with the acquisition of two heavyweight transfers: Ohio State’s Quincy Porter and Alabama’s Keon Keeley. Both five-star talents out of high school, these guys aren’t just pickups; they’re declarations of intent. Porter, relatively untested but brimming with potential, and Keeley, a seasoned force with notable stats already, embody that mix of promise and experience Notre Dame desperately needs. It wasn’t just the playoff omission that ruffled feathers — the timing and politics stung, sparking a rare public jab from ND’s AD at the ACC. The fallout? Notre Dame opted out of bowl games, sending a message loud and clear: We’re not here to play second fiddle. Meanwhile, Miami rides a controversial wave, proving their spot was no fluke as they gear up for the National Championship. This chess game of power and pride is heating up — and if you ask me, Notre Dame’s next chapter is shaping up to be a fascinating one. LEARN MORE

Notre Dame is doing all it can to make sure it doesn’t miss out on the College Football Playoff next season. After controversially being left out of the bracket this year, the team answered back by landing two massive transfers Monday.

Ohio State wideout Quincy Porter and Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley both reportedly committed to Notre Dame on Monday. Porter and Keeley were both five-star prospects coming out of high school.

Keeley confirmed his decision to On3.com. Porter’s commitment was reported by On3.com.

Porter comes to Notre Dame after seeing limited snaps as a freshman. He played in just five games with Ohio State this season, hauling in four catches for 59 yards. Keeley has more experience, after being limited to just six games as a freshman. Keeley played in 13 games with Alabama this season. He notched 16 combined tackles, including three sacks, as a sophomore.

Despite going 10-2 this season, Notre Dame was left out of the CFP. It was a last-minute decision by the committee, as Notre Dame was ranked higher than Miami all season before the bracket was released. Notre Dame wasn’t happy about that decision, with AD Pete Bevacqua threatening the ACC over its willingness to push Miami into that CFP.

Following the snub, Notre Dame took itself out of bowl consideration, instead opting to simply end its season.

Despite being a controversial inclusion into the CFP, Miami has excelled in the tournament. The team beat Texas A&M and Ohio State and is set to take on Indiana in the National Championship on Jan. 19.