Notre Dame CB Ryan Barnes announces intention to enter transfer portal
Notre Dame junior cornerback Ryan Barnes will enter the transfer portal when the window opens Monday, he announced on the website formerly known as Twitter on Saturday morning. Barnes has two years of eligibility remaining.
Barnes played 16 snaps in 2 games for the Irish in blowouts against Tennessee State on Sept. 2 and Wake Forest on Nov. 18. He did not record a stat, and he will enter the portal as an undergraduate transfer.
“I would like to thank The University of Notre Dame for the past few years of my life,” Barnes said in a social media graphic. “All the things I’ve learned and experienced will forever be a part of who I am and who I will grow to be.
“Thank you to the Notre Dame coaching staff, faculty and fans for welcoming me into the Irish Family and continuing to support me throughout my time here. The love that I have for my teammates will continue with me for the rest of my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
“With that being said, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal. I will always love the Irish, and I’m excited for new opportunities.”
Barnes was the No. 634 player and No. 55 cornerback in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking out of Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard. He committed to Notre Dame on June 6, 2020.
The most games Barnes played in a season was four as a freshman in 2021, as he appeared in four of the Irish’s last five games down the stretch. That included the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State on Jan. 1, 2022.
In total, Barnes appeared in seven games across three seasons for Notre Dame.
Barnes was in the mix to compete for the No. 4 cornerback position in fall camp behind sophomore Benjamin Morrison, graduate student Cam Hart and sophomore Jaden Mickey. Morrison and Hart were entrenched as starters and Mickey earned the primary backup spot, but the fourth CB job was up for grabs.
However, freshman Christian Gray quickly claimed the spot with his play in camp, sealing Barnes’ role as a seldom-used reserve.
Barnes is the fifth Notre Dame undergraduate student to announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal so far, following sophomore wide receiver Tobias Merriweather, freshman wide receiver Braylon James, sophomore tight end Holden Staes and freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr.
Five graduate students are already in the portal, meaning Barnes makes 10 Notre Dame players to exit South Bend.
