CBS Sports Names Malachi Fields As Notre Dame's Top Portal Addition

For the second season in a row, Notre Dame has elected to dip into the transfer portal to find their boundary receiver. Last season, Clemson transfer Beaux Collins came to South Bend for his final season of eligibility and started all 16 games for the Irish at the 'X receiver' position. He was a quality player who logged 41 receptions, 490 receiving yards, averaged 12.0 yards per catch and hauled in three touchdowns. 

Collins was the team's leading receiver until Jaden Greathouse exploded in the CFP Semifinals and the national title game. This season, Notre Dame and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock needed an impact playmaker at the boundary position and when Cavaliers receiver Malachi Fields entered his name in the portal, it became a no brainer for both parties where the Virginia native should spend his final year of eligibility. 

"Jaden Greathouse showed some signs as a go-to receiver in the national championship game. But Notre Dame lacked a true WR1 last season and hasn't had a wide receiver clear the 600-yard barrier since 2021. Fields should end that streak. A favorite of personnel departments across the country in the portal this winter, Fields combined for 1,619 yards and 10 TDs over the last two seasons. He's a big vertical field stretcher at 6-feet-4, 220 pounds and is a presence defenses will have to shade coverage toward. That's a dangerous thing when you consider how good Notre Dame's run game projects to be this year." - Chris Hummer, CBS Sports

In back to back seasons, Fields logged over 50 receptions, 800 yards, averaged 14.0 yards per catch and hauled in five touchdowns in both 2023 and 2024. In what was considered a dormant offense, Fields was their lone bright spot. His fit at Notre Dame is coming at the perfect time, given Greathouse's breakout in the post season along with a talented returning offensive line and a bump in quarterback passing ability. 

At 6-4 223 pounds, Fields gives Notre Dame a presence in the boundary it has been lacking since the 2019 season when Chase Claypool was the go-to receiver. His play style and body type resemble Miles Boykins from the 2018 season, a year where he finished with 59 receptions, 872 yards, averaged 14.8 YPC and had eight touchdowns in 13 games. 

Fields adds a much needed boost in size, experience and production to this Irish receiving corps, and provides a star power element they have been lacking at the position for quite some time. Greathouse showed flashes throughout last season and is expected to be a go-to player once again this year for Denbrock, but the addition of Fields completely changes the narrative. 

Notre Dame hasn't had a dynamic one-two punch at receiver in quite some time, and this will, by far, be the best one-two punch at wide receiver in the Marcus Freeman era. Combine Fields and Greathouse's potential of being a dynamic duo with 6-7 250 pound tight end Eli Raridon and an explosive run game featuring Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, this Fighting Irish offense will likely put up some serious numbers this season.