Notre Dame leaning on redemptive storylines as its 2026 team begins to take shape with the newest cast of Irish newcomers
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Every football team has its own identity – what makes it special and sets the team apart from other groups. For the 2026 Notre Dame team, there is no telling what will make that collection of players and coaches truly unique, right now anyway. We may have gotten a small taste with media availability this week, giving some personality to some of the newcomers that head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have welcomed to South Bend this offseason.
While listening to some of the transfer additions, as well as new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge during that availability, there is one word that quickly came to mind – redemption. Between former Pitt defensive tackle Francis Brewu, Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley, and Ohio State Mylan Graham, none of them has taken the path that they probably expected. Despite that, those paths have a chance to shape their future and provide some fuel for this Notre Dame team going into the 2026 season.
These new additions come from completely different places, yet have some extremely interesting connections that led them to South Bend. That has brought a feeling of redemption to the surface. There is a different aura around this team, and it feels like a group that could combine unlikely paths to finally reach its common goal of winning a championship.
The Charlie Partridge-Francis Brewu connection
“I’m excited to work with him. I haven’t worked with him in really ever, quite honestly, because I recruited him and went on to the Colts. I’m excited to finally coach him. It’s almost like it was fate.” – Coach Partridge on the chance to work with Brewu
Once upon a time, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge recruited an underrated three-star defensive tackle prospect, Francis Brewu, to Pitt. Partridge left the Panthers to take a job with the Indianapolis Colts shortly after landing Brewu in the 2024 class, never giving him a chance to coach the high-upside defender. That is going to change this offseason.
The 6-1, 281-pound defensive tackle is coming off his best season for Pitt in 2025, collecting 36 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. While Brewu isn’t the biggest defensive lineman of all time, his combination of power and movement skills is tremendous. Brewu is a tough player to deal with at the point of attack. He now finally gets his chance to work with Partridge and showcase just how talented he is on the biggest stage.
Keon Keeley’s return
“I’m a man, but I teared up. I cried because it was a surreal feeling just to be back. I feel like a part of why it felt so surreal was because of how long it’s been since I’ve been here. It feels full circle because I remember when I was 17 to 16 years old being committed here, and the process I had gone through. So to be back, it’s like God’s plan.” – Keeley on his return to Notre Dame
If you think back to the 2023 recruiting class, Keeley was once considered to be the crown jewel of the group. The five-star pass rusher was viewed as the missing ingredient to the Irish pass rush that had been missing in recent years. When Keeley opted to decommit and eventually land with Alabama, it broke the hearts of Notre Dame fans. Keeley felt like the perfect Notre Dame fit that got away.
After three years with the Crimson Tide, the 6-5, 270-pound defensive end opted to enter the portal this offseason. Coming off the best stretch of his career in Tuscaloosa in 2025, there were quite a few teams that made a pitch for Keeley. The full-circle moment of finally ending up in South Bend ended up winning out for Keeley. This could end up being the ultimate redemption story.
Seeing the emotions that Keeley was holding while making this decision made everything even more significant. Leaving the Notre Dame class wasn’t easy for the Florida native at the time. This is a second chance at something special.
The final push for Mylan Graham
“It’ll be fun, man. Just seeing what he did as a redshirt freshman last year, just seeing that the coaching staff can put their trust in him and let him go out there and play football, that was a big part of me wanting to come here. I know I can just trust in the staff and everything.” – Graham on being able to play with S Tae Johnson
Both originally members of the 2024 recruiting class, Graham has a preexisting relationship with Notre Dame standout safety Tae Johnson. Both players starred in the Fort Wayne area at different high school programs, a talent pool that hasn’t been great for the Irish in recent years. As the former Ohio State wide receiver went through the portal process, he leaned on that relationship with Johnson to figure out how he potentially fits with the Fighting Irish.
In two years with the Buckeyes, the former five-star pass catcher played in 13 games, managing to haul in just six receptions for 93 yards. With Graham now out of the shadows of Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Emeka Egbuka, he has a chance to make an immediate impact with Notre Dame. The 6-1, 195-pound wideout will have the opportunity to showcase the talent that once made him such a highly coveted recruit.
This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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