Notre Dame‘s transfer portal window has closed, but that doesn’t mean roster news has slowed down. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Marcus Freeman and the team added another player to their roster, thanks to a ruling from the NCAA.
On Tuesday, On3 reported that the NCAA approved defensive tackle Jason Onye’s request to come back to college football and play one more year at Notre Dame.
Onye’s eligibility was up after the 2025-26 season, but he had previously said that he was asking the NCAA for a sixth year due to injury hardships. Onye and the Fighting Irish had been waiting to hear back from the NCAA for several weeks, and on Tuesday, they got their answer.
“On Tuesday, the NCAA informed the 6-foot-5, 302-pound North Providence, R.I., product that his petition was successful in getting a sixth year of college eligibility, a source told Blue & Gold,” On3 reported. “So, in one fell swoop, the Irish addressed their biggest lingering offseason need with a player with proven production and who personifies the culture head coach Marcus Freeman believes fuels Notre Dame’s title dreams.”
Fans were quick to celebrate the move online.
“Huge news for Notre Dame’s DT room,” the Notre Dame Recruiting podcast said on social media upon hearing the news. “Jason Onye was very, very good in the second half of the year. The Irish DT room went from below average before the portal window to above average in a matter of weeks.”
“Massive win. Biggest position of need suddenly looks like a potential strength with him and Gray,” Dad on Sports said.
“Jason Onye is getting a sixth season,” added Tyler Horka of On3. “The NCAA approved his eligibility waiver. This might as well be the equivalent of another transfer portal addition for Notre Dame. The defensive tackle group is deeper and better with Onye in it. Huge.”
“After emerging as a steadier presence in the second half of the 2025 season following Gabriel Rubio’s injury, Onye gives Notre Dame a known, experienced option inside,” Frank Vitovitch of UHND.com added. “Combined with the portal additions and the arrival of new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, the Irish now have a more functional and balanced interior rotation than they did at the end of last season.”
So, Notre Dame’s defense just got stronger, without even using the portal.