Michael Clubb, USA TODAY Sports

Son of Former NFL Star to Transfer to Historic College Football Program

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 1:38 PM ET

In a move that has sparked excitement among college football fans, Kennedy Urlacher, son of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, is set to transfer from Notre Dame to the University of Southern California (USC), as reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247Sports.

The young safety, who recorded 12 tackles as a freshman at Notre Dame last season, brings a legacy of athletic excellence to the Trojans’ roster.

Kennedy, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound defensive back, entered the transfer portal earlier this week, drawing immediate attention due to his lineage and potential.

His father, Brian Urlacher, was an eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Chicago Bears and earned the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005 before being inducted into the Pro Football NHall of Fame in 2018.

Now, Kennedy is poised to carve his own path with USC, a program with a storied history and a fierce rivalry with his former team, Notre Dame.

The transfer adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming USC-Notre Dame matchup scheduled for October 18, 2025, in South Bend.

With three years of eligibility remaining, Kennedy is expected to bolster USC's defense, marking the Trojans’ first acquisition from the spring transfer portal.

His decision was influenced by familiarity with USC’s General Manager Chad Bowden, who previously worked at Notre Dame and played a role in recruiting him.

Fans are already buzzing about the potential impact of this transfer, not only for the Trojans' defensive lineup but also for the narrative it sets up in one of college football’s most heated rivalries.

Kennedy Urlacher’s journey is just beginning, and all eyes will be on him as he dons the cardinal and gold.

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

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