Notre Dame safety transfer Kennedy Urlacher commits to USC, Lincoln Riley

Former Notre Dame safety transfer Kennedy Urlacher, the son of legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, has committed to join USC and head coach Lincoln Riley, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Urlacher will have three years of eligibility remaining after contributing as a freshman during the Fighting Irish’s 2024 run to College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Kennedy Urlacher formally entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on Wednesday, the first day of the Spring portal window, after spending just one season with the Fighting Irish.

Kennedy Urlacher appeared in 14 games as a true freshman at Notre Dame, and finished with 12 tackles, including seven solo, while playing mostly on speical teams.

“Honestly, kickoff is my favorite,” Urlacher said during Notre Dame spring practice. “I love punt. Kick return is alright, but kickoff, I think I can definitely have a shot at playing right there.”

Kennedy Urlacher played high school football at Chandler (AZ), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 707 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discussed what it meant to land the younger Urlacher following National Signing Day in December 2023.

“I think even talking to Brian Urlacher he’s able to tell Kennedy ‘Hey man, this game’s gonna end, and so go somewhere where you can maximize your football opportunities. But understand, set yourself up for life after football,’” Freeman said. “And I think that coming from the Urlacher family, a guy that didn’t come here, but understood the value of Notre Dame, he had a huge impact on his son Kennedy.”

Kennedy Urlacher’s commitment is the first of the Spring portal window after USC signed 11 transfer players during the Winter portal period, joining fellow defensive backs Bishop Fitzgerald (NC State) and DJ Harvey (San Jose State); defensive linemen Jamaal Jarrett (Georgia) and Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky); interior offensive linemen J’onre Reed (Syracuse) and DJ Wingfield (Purdue); running back Eli Sanders (New Mexico); receiver Prince Strachan (Boise State); quarterback Sam Huard (Utah); and specialists Caden Chittenden (UNLV) and Sam Johnson (Valparaiso).