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Week 7 transfer tracker: Two former Notre Dame OL succeeding at center with new teams

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly10/14/25ByKyleKelly
Coogan-Pendleton
Former Notre Dame offensive linemen Pat Coogan (left) and Sam Pendleton (right) have performed well for their new teams. (Coogan credit: © Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | Pendleton credit: © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Notre Dame football program is down its starting center for the remainder of the season after redshirt junior Ashton Craig suffered a knee injury last Saturday against NC State. Two of his potential replacements are excelling elsewhere this season.

After the Irish’s 2024 College Football Playoff run, starting center Pat Coogan — who took over for an injured Craig last season — and early-season starting guard Sam Pendleton — who started working at center during the CFP — transferred to Indiana and Tennessee, respectively. They’ve both become valuable pieces to two nationally ranked teams.

Through seven weeks, Pro Football Focus grades Coogan and Pendleton as the Nos. 20 and 37 centers among 68 Power Four schools. Before his season-ending injury, Craig slotted at No. 42.

Here is how Coogan and Pendleton’s performances in Week 7 helped them claim their spots in the Power Four center standings this season. Also, how six other players who transferred from Notre Dame last season performed.

QB Steve Angeli (Syracuse … 3-3): Before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Sept. 20 vs. Clemson, Angeli threw for 1,317 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing 98-256 passes with only 2 interceptions in four games.

OL Ty Chan (Connecticut … 4-2): The Huskies had a bye week. Chan has started five games this season and allowed 5 pressures in 138 pass-blocking snaps.

WR Deion Colzie (Miami Ohio … 3-3): Started and played 29 of 68 offensive snaps, catching 2 passes for 47 yards in a 20-7 victory against Akron (2-5). RedHawks quarterback Dequan Finn targeted him three other times, but none resulted in catches.

OL Pat Coogan (No. 3 Indiana … 6-0): Started and played all 72 offensive snaps at center in a 30-20 victory over No. 8 Oregon (5-1). He gave up 1 quarterback hurry in 38 pass-blocking snaps. In the game, Hoosiers rushers registered 41 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 carries (3.7 yards per carry) when running middle left or middle right, which he is primarily responsible for.

DL Tyson Ford (California … 4-2): The Golden Bears had a bye week. Ford has played one defensive snap this season.

EDGE Aiden Gobaira (James Madison … 5-1): Played 39 of 63 defensive snaps, recording a sack in a 24-14 win against Louisiana (2-4). PFF also awarded him with a quarterback hurry and a run stop. In addition to playing defense, Gobaira is a special teams ace, assisting on the kick return, punt coverage, punt return and field goal kick and field goal block teams.

CB Jaden Mickey (Boise State … 4-2): Returned to the lineup and started at safety after missing the Notre Dame game with a concussion. He played 38 of 55 defensive snaps and notched a pass breakup in a 41-25 victory over New Mexico (3-3). Mickey also contributed to kick return, punt coverage and field goal block.

OL Sam Pendleton (No. 11 Tennessee … 5-1): Started and played 48 and 67 offensive snaps at center, giving up no pressure in 19 pass-blocking snaps in 34-31 victory against Arkansas (2-4). 

OL Rocco Spindler (No. 25 Nebraska … 5-1): Started and played all 64 offensive snaps at right guard in a 34-31 win against Maryland (4-2). Spindler surrendered one quarterback hurry in 36 pass-blocking snaps. Cornhusker rushers gained 10 yards on two carries when running behind him.

WR Jayden Thomas (No. 18 Virginia … 5-1): The Cavaliers had a bye week. Thomas has a 4-yard catch on the season.

LB Kennedy Urlacher (No. 20 USC … 5-1): Did not see any snaps in a 31-13 win over Michigan (4-2). 

DE Andrew Yanoshak (Dayton … 5-1): Logged 33 of 69 defensive snaps, but did not record any official stats in a 40-10 victory over Valparaiso (1-5). PFF credited him with a quarterback hit. 

K Zac Yoakam (Houston … 5-1): Had 9 kickoffs that totaled 562 yards with 4 touchbacks in a 39-19 win over Oklahoma State (1-5).