Notre Dame Suffers Transfer Portal Blow on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jan 22, 2025 8:03 AM ET

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish capped off an incredible college football season with a loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national title game.

Notre Dame finished the season 14-2, having entered the national championship on a 13-game win streak. During their College Football Playoff run, the Fighting Irish defeated Indiana, Georgia and Penn State.

Despite the success of Notre Dame in year three of the Marcus Freeman era, they've been dealt unfortunate news in the transfer portal.

On Wednesday, offensive lineman Sam Pendleton entered the transfer portal after starting seven games with the Fighting Irish during the season, per Matt Zenitz at 247Sports.

Notre Dame sophomore offensive lineman Sam Pendleton has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247Sports.

Made seven starts for Notre Dame this season. Was a Class of 2023 four-star recruit.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/jkb80Y1MAW
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 22, 2025

According to Pete Nakos at On3Sports, Pendleton has a "do not contact" tag on his transfer portal entry, meaning the former Notre Dame starter may have already narrowed down his list of preferred schools.

Pendleton originally committed to Notre Dame as a four-star prospect in the class of 2023. He was ranked as the No. 27 interior offensive lineman and No. 405 overall player in his recruiting class, per 247Sports.

The programs mostly involved with Pendleton's recruitment in 2023 were Clemson, Duke, Georgia State, Tennessee and Penn State.

While the first window of the transfer portal, Dec. 9 to Dec. 28, closed, players participating in the College Football Playoff had a five-day window to enter the transfer portal following their team's final game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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