Transfer Portal: Social media reacts to Jayden Harrison, Rod Heard Notre Dame commitments
Notre Dame snatched up two top prospects available in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Defensive back Rod Heard II from Northwestern and kick returner/wide receiver Jayden Harrison of Marshall committed to the Fighting Irish on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Both players visited Notre Dame last weekend.
Heard was the most coveted of the two college recruits. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is On3’s No. 66 overall player and No. 9 cornerback available in the transfer portal.
He appeared in games across five seasons for the Wildcats. The 2023 campaign was Heard’s most productive. He had 85 tackles (54 solo), 4 pass breakups and a sack. In the turnover department, Heard added an interception and 2 forced fumbles.
The Big Ten coaches and media recognized him as an All-Conference honorable mention.
Harrison was a first-team All-America kick returner for the Thundering Herd. He finished the 2023 regular season as the nation’s top kick return man. The 5-11, 195-pounder averaged an FBS-best 31.9 yards per return. In addition, Harrison was one of five players to have two kick return touchdowns.
In the passing game, he caught a career-high 28 passes for 410 yards. Harrison reached the end zone once.
Before his transfer to Marshall, Harrison spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Vanderbilt.
With Harrison and Heard’s commitments, the Irish have acquired eight players from the transfer portal. Previously, Notre Dame announced quarterback Riley Leonard, WRs Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell, defensive lineman R.J. Oben, defensive back Jordan Clark and kicker Mitch Jeter last month.
Notre Dame’s transfer portal class ranks No. 15 in the 2024 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings.
On3’s Team Transfer Portal Index utilizes the On3 (P)erformance score to measure a team’s production during the transfer process, compared relative against its roster and not a comparison against other schools. This proprietary algorithm determines if a school has improved its overall team talent, stayed the same, or declined in talent during the transfer window.
Here is how social media reacted to the news of Harrison and Heard joining the Irish.
How social media reacted to Jayden Harrison and Rod Heard committing to Notre Dame football
Tyler Horka is Blue & Gold’s Notre Dame football beat reporter.
Dre Brown is Notre Dame’s director of high school football scouting. He typically sends the same message after each commitment announcement.
Harrison replied to a Marshall podcast with the following comment.
Mike Beradino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune.
Nathan Erbach is a host of the Golden Domers podcast.
Mason Plummer is a former Blue & Gold contributor.
Dos Leprechauns hosts a Notre Dame football podcast.
Notre Dame Recruiting is a Fighting Irish fan account.
