Sad Departures: 3 Key Players Who Departed Notre Dame Due to Transfer Portal Decisions
In recent years, college football has seen a surge in players utilizing the NCAA transfer portal to explore new opportunities. For many teams, this has resulted in key players leaving mid-career, often altering the trajectory of a season. The University of Notre Dame, a historic powerhouse in college football, has not been immune to this trend. In 2025, three key players made the decision to leave Notre Dame for various reasons, and their departures are leaving significant gaps in the team. Here’s a closer look at these departures and what they mean for the Fighting Irish’s future.
1. Tyler Buchner – Quarterback
Tyler Buchner, who was once considered a future star for Notre Dame, made the surprising decision to enter the transfer portal in early January 2025. After a promising start to his career, Buchner’s tenure at Notre Dame was marred by injuries, including a torn ACL that forced him to miss much of the 2024 season. When healthy, Buchner showed flashes of brilliance, earning the starting quarterback role at the beginning of the 2023 season before an injury sidelined him.
His departure comes as a blow to the Fighting Irish, who were counting on him to lead the offense in 2025. With Buchner’s dual-threat capabilities and strong arm, he was considered a key piece of Notre Dame’s long-term plans. His decision to transfer marks the end of what many hoped would be a fruitful chapter in Notre Dame’s quarterback development, leaving the team with questions about the position moving forward.
2. Jadarian Price – Running Back
Jadarian Price, a highly touted running back who was expected to be a centerpiece of Notre Dame’s ground game, also announced his decision to leave the program. Price’s departure is particularly tough for the Fighting Irish, as he was one of the most highly recruited running backs in recent memory. With his combination of speed, vision, and power, Price was viewed as a potential star who could have carried the running back room into the next generation of elite Notre Dame tailbacks.
In his short time at Notre Dame, Price showed promise, but injuries hampered his development. Now, with him entering the transfer portal, Notre Dame will need to lean on a younger, less experienced running back corps, which may create growing pains early in the 2025 season. Price’s decision to seek out a fresh start raises questions about the future of the program’s running back depth, an area that has historically been a strength for Notre Dame.
3. Michael Mayer – Tight End
While Michael Mayer was not a transfer portal departure, his absence in the 2025 season due to the NFL draft looms large for Notre Dame. Mayer was one of the most dominant tight ends in recent college football memory, and his decision to enter the NFL draft means the Fighting Irish will be without one of their top offensive weapons. While this doesn’t technically count as a “transfer,” Mayer’s loss is one of the key departures the team must contend with.
Mayer’s ability to stretch the field and create mismatches for defenders was a vital part of Notre Dame’s offense in 2024. His absence in the coming season leaves a significant void in the tight end position, and the team will need to find a reliable replacement. While Notre Dame has a solid recruiting class, replacing a player of Mayer’s caliber is no easy task.
Conclusion
The departures of Tyler Buchner, Jadarian Price, and Michael Mayer (to the NFL) have left significant holes in the Notre Dame roster. As the Fighting Irish prepare for the 2025 season, these losses create uncertainty, particularly in key positions like quarterback, running back, and tight end. While the transfer portal provides an avenue for teams to rebuild, it also serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of college football.
Notre Dame fans will be hoping that the next wave of talent can step up to the challenge and fill these gaps. However, the loss of these three players is undeniably a setback, and it will take a concerted effort to maintain the program’s level of success moving forward.
