Notre Dame football adds Pittsburgh transfer DT Francis Brewu
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SOUTH BEND —Notre Dame football was back at it on Tuesday in the transfer portal, this time reeling in a late afternoon commitment from former Pittsburgh defensive tackle Francis Brewu.
One of the top remaining prizes in this year’s transfer portal, Brewu missed out on position coach Charlie Partridge’s tutelage with the Panthers. Now they’ll get a chance to work together at Notre Dame football.
Partridge, who left Pitt for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in early 2024, is completing his first week of work as Notre Dame’s defensive line coach. On Monday he helped the Irish sign Alabama transfer Keon Keeley, a rising fourth-year junior defensive end who de-committed from Notre Dame in August 2022.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Brewu is a Westerville, Ohio native who produced from the outset with Pittsburgh. A rising junior, Brewu visited Tennessee and Notre Dame last week before stopping at Ohio State over the weekend.
South Carolina and Indiana were reportedly in the mix as well.
After appearing in 12 games as a freshman in 2024, including a start against Toledo in a six-overtime loss in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Brewu played all 13 games (12 starts) for Pitt in 2025.
He played 51 snaps in a Nov. 15 loss to Notre Dame, producing two hurries and four tackles. His Pro Football Focus grade improved to 78.4 as he finished the year with 36 tackles, including 18 stops that constituted a failure for the opposing offense.
Brewu had 7.5 tackles for loss, including a sack, along with two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. His PFF grade was tied for 28th among all defensive tackles with at least 300 defensive snaps.
In two seasons for coach Pat Narduzzi, Brewu produced 31 quarterback pressures and four sacks. He missed just seven tackles during his Pitt career, with one of those coming against the Irish.
Brewu’s former Pittsburgh teammate, defensive tackle Jahsear “Breadman” Whittington, reportedly committed to Nebraska on Monday.
On Monday, Day 11 of the 15-day transfer portal window, the Irish finally got on the board with a quartet of additions: Keeley, Ohio State wide receiver Quincy Porter and cornerbacks Jayden Sanders (Michigan) and DJ McKinney (Colorado).
Oregon transfer defensive tackle Tionne Gray (6-6, 336) reportedly has a visit set for South Bend on Thursday. He’s a rising third-year sophomore.
More potential targets could enter the portal in the five-day window that follows the College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 19 between Indiana and Miami.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football adds Pittsburgh transfer DT Francis Brewu
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