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On Wednesday morning, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard had a limited return to practice, less than two weeks after having ankle surgery. The guys discuss the news and give their reaction to it, plus break down the update of Clarence Lewis entering the transfer portal. What’s next for the Irish at the cornerback position?
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Notre Dame cornerback Clarence Lewis enters transfer portal
Notre Dame graduate cornerback Clarence Lewis took reps with the first-team defense during last Wednesday’s practice. Two days later, he announced he’s leaving the Irish.
Lewis has entered the transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. He has one season of eligibility remaining, granted to him by the COVID-19 exception. The Middletown (N.J.) Mater Dei graduate appeared in every game the past four seasons with the Irish, starting two games in 2023.
Because Lewis will be a graduate transfer, he can enter his name in the portal immediately instead of waiting for the spring window to open April 15.
Lewis was a valued backup defensive back for the Irish, with the ability to play both the corner and nickel positions.
“We always know C-Lew can play nickel,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said March 7. “We have that in our mind that if something happens and we need C-Lew to play nickel, he can play nickel. Right now, he’s playing corner for us and doing a lot of different things for our defense.”
However, despite the first-team reps in Wednesday’s practice — which came on the heels of star junior cornerback Benjamin Morrison undergoing shoulder surgery — Lewis did not have a realistic path to starting for Notre Dame in his final college season.
After Lewis backed up Thomas Harper at nickel in 2023, the Irish acquired Arizona State graduate transfer Jordan Clark for the 2024 season as Harper’s eligibility expired. Freeman all but declared Clark the starter at nickel on arrival, closing the door for Lewis there.
At cornerback, sophomore Jaden Mickey and freshman Christian Gray are expected to compete to start alongside Morrison (who is expected to be ready for football season) after veteran Cam Hart left for the NFL Draft. Both played over Lewis when Morrison and Hart were injured Oct. 28 against Pittsburgh, and both impressed Freeman with their performances.
In 51 games and 23 starts, Lewis totaled 124 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack and 3 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble and forced 3 more.
In coverage, Lewis was targeted 172 times over his Notre Dame career, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed 110 receptions for 1,398 yards, an average of 8.13 yards per target. Lewis gave up a passer rating of 101.4 over the course of his career.
In Lewis’ absence, senior cornerback Chance Tucker will likely see more reps at corner and sophomore Micah Bell should get more of a shot at nickel. Both played sparingly in 2023 but project as serviceable depth for 2024.
With Lewis’ departure, Notre Dame is down to 89 scholarship players. The Irish need to lower that number to 85 by the start of the 2024 season.
