Notre Dame football loses two transfers to Big Ten as portal revs up
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SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football transfers Kenny Minchey and Josh Burnham have found Big Ten landing spots in recent days.
Minchey, according to multiple reports, will head to Nebraska after spending three years in a reserve role for the Irish. A fourth-year junior, Minchey is the favorite to replace two-year starting quarterback Dylan Raiola, who entered the portal after showing marked improvement this season for the Cornhuskers.
Former Houston and West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen is the offensive coordinator at Nebraska. In 2025, Holgorsen’s first year in Lincon, the Huskers ranked 25th in pass efficiency offense but 68th in passing yards per game (225).
Burnham, a defensive end, announced Sunday evening on social media that he was headed to Indiana for his final college season. The Traverse City, Mich., product made 14 starts for Notre Dame, including a 43-snap outing against Indiana in a 2024 first-round College Football Playoff game.
Burnham averaged nearly 300 defensive snaps over the past three seasons and was credited with 39 total pressures for the Irish.
He is the second Notre Dame starter in as many offseasons to transfer to the Hoosiers. Burnham follows center Pat Coogan, who was named Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl after Indiana blasted Alabama to earn a spot in the CFP semifinals.
Indiana also outmaneuvered Notre Dame for Michigan State transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh, who committed on Sunday night ahead of a scheduled visit to South Bend. Marsh made 100 catches for 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns across his first two college seasons for the Spartans.
Iowa State cornerback Jontez Williams committed to USC on Sunday night ahead of his scheduled visit to Notre Dame. Williams, rated by some outlets as the top cornerback in this year’s transfer portal, missed the final seven games last season with an ACL injury.
On Monday, Central Florida defensive tackle Horace Lockett returned to the Golden Knights after entering the portal. Lockett, 6-6 and 355 pounds, also had a reported visit scheduled with the Irish.
Could Notre Dame football sign a transfer quarterback?
Four days into the 15-day transfer portal window, which expires on Jan. 16, Notre Dame had yet to secure a commitment — but that could change soon. The Irish reportedly had a handful of visits lined up for the early part of the week, including Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson, Tulsa tight end Brody Foley and Utah defensive end John Henry Daley.
Atkinson won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman at the FCS level. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Atkinson passed for 3,604 yards and 34 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions for the Bears, who went 9-4 and lost to South Dakota in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Foley, a Cincinnati Anderson High School product, enjoyed a breakout season in 2025 after being held without a catch in 20 games from 2022-24 at Indiana. At 6-6 and 260 pounds, Foley had 37 catches for 528 yards and seven touchdowns for the Golden Hurricane (4-8) in 2025.
Daley, listed at 6-4 and 255 pounds, redshirted at BYU in 2023 before transferring to the rival Utes. A Utah native, he exploded for 17.5 tackles for loss, including 11.5 sacks, along with 48 tackles and two forces fumbles in 2025.
A first-team Walter Camp and AFCA All-American, Daley also has reported interest from Michigan under former Utes coach Kyle Whittingham.
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 loses two transfers to Big Ten programs
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