The Notre Dame WR portal class is set, but there is one missing ingredient that the room still needs desperately

Wide receiver was a massive transfer portal need for Notre Dame football this cycle, and everyone knew it. The Fighting Irish would need to add at least one talented pass catcher, but a second could be on the table depending on what was out there. It’s not even the New Year yet, and we now know exactly which two players are going to be added to that room.

Earlier this week, the Irish landed a massive commitment from former Virginia pass catcher Malachi Fields, who fills the role of big-bodied pass catcher perfectly. On Tuesday, Notre Dame also received a pledge from former Wisconsin star Will Pauling. On paper, these are both very strong pickups, but there are still some major questions left to answer.

Fields is a player that Irish fans are very familiar with, allowing four receptions for 81 yards earlier this season in their battle against the Cavaliers. The 6-4, 220-pound standout is exactly what Notre Dame needed to find this offseason, impact size. Fields has been tremendous for the Cavaliers the last two seasons, hauling in 113 receptions for 1,619 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s much needed production added.

In the case of Pauling, the projection is much less seamless. Like Fields, he has also been very productive, especially during the 2023 college football season. In 13 games that season, Pauling hauled in 74 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns. He became one of the more productive pass catchers in the Big Ten.

Pauling was also pretty consistent with the Cincinnati Bearcats the year prior in a limited role behind Tyler Scott and Tre Tucker, where he played under Notre Dame wide receiver coach Mike Brown. The 2024 season was a step back for Pauling, taking a massive dip in productive due to poor quarterback play and drop issues. It was time for a fresh start.

The major question is what position that Pauling fits into, and whether it is one that Notre Dame should have prioritized. Pauling is rumored to have impressive timed speed, but you don’t really see that on film. He hasn’t created a ton of big plays during his college career, with his best per catch average of just 11.3 yards coming during the 2023 season.

His best projection does come in at the slot position, which is already occupied by Jaden Greathouse, and Jordan Faison can do a lot inside as well. You could argue that is the one spot you have by far the most depth.

The spot you don’t have a ton of depth is the Z position, and there is a huge lack of big play ability right now. Heading into the 2025 season, the two players who are most likely to create some big plays are either Cam Williams or KK Smith. While both have really good talent, that duo has caught just three passes for 38 yards so far in their careers.

Notre Dame has seemingly had an issue of not having enough speed outside in recent seasons. Fields will upgrade a position outside, but he is more a downfield winner based on frame and catch radius. 

Unless Pauling has untapped potential in that department, next year’s wide receiver group could lack big time in terms of speed. It’s something that needs to change if this passing game is ever going to take a real step forward.