Transfer Portal: Former Notre Dame football DL Aidan Keanaaina picks California
Aidan Keanaaina is headed back out west to play the remainder of his college football career. On Saturday, the former Notre Dame football defensive lineman announced his plans to transfer to California. Keanaaina revealed he was entering the NCAA Transfer Portal on Nov. 28. He has two more years of collegiate eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-3, 309-pound Keanaaina played 11 games in four years with the Fighting Irish. He registered 11 tackles, 6 of which were solo. Keanaaina also had 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks in his career.
Keanaaina was a three-star college football player with an 85 rating, according to On3. He was the No. 1,121 player and No. 53 defensive lineman available for transfer, per On3’s college football transfer portal top players. His On3 NIL Valuation annual value is $101,000, which ranks No. 993 among college football players.
After announcing his intention to transfer from Notre Dame, Keanaaina reported offers from Arizona, Charlotte and California. He joined fellow Notre Dame defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah by transferring away from the program. Osafo-Mensah completed his transfer with a commitment to TCU on Dec. 8.
Keanaaina is originally from J.K. Mullen High in Denver. He was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. According to the On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — Keanaaina was the No. 419 overall player, No. 50 defensive lineman nationally and No. 4 prospect in Colorado.
Eighteen Power Five programs offered Keanaaina as a high school recruit. He chose the Irish over Florida and Ohio State.
A glimpse at Aidan Keanaaina’s Notre Dame football career
Keanaaina made his collegiate debut as a freshman during the 2020 season. He saw time in a 52-0 Irish victory over South Florida. The next season, he played in games against Navy, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl. He recorded his first career tackle in Notre Dame’s bowl game.
A torn ACL in the first spring practice of 2022 derailed a hopeful junior campaign. Keanaaina miraculously returned to the lineup in Notre Dame’s home season finale against Boston College. He had 3 tackles (2 solo) versus the Eagles on Nov. 19.
Keanaaina’s biggest role at Notre Dame came this season. He appeared in six games and registered 7 tackles (3 solo), 1.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks. He played 40 snaps, including a season-high 11 against Tennessee State. In that Sept. 2 Irish victory, he had 3 tackles (2 solo) and 1 TFL.
