Sophomore guard Sam Pendleton has become the first Notre Dame player to enter the transfer portal following the national championship game, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Pendleton, who has three years of eligibility remaining, earned a starting role in Notre Dame’s Week 1 victory against Texas A&M. In a surprising development during fall camp, he secured the left guard position ahead of seniors Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler, both of whom had started more than 10 games in 2023.
A three-star recruit from Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan, Pendleton saw limited action in 2023, logging just 15 snaps. However, his strong performance in preseason practices earned him an opportunity to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.
A season-ending knee injury to junior center Ashton Craig and a multi-week ankle injury to junior guard Billy Schrauth forced Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler into the lineup by Week 4. Both players delivered the best performances of their careers. When Schrauth returned in Week 9 against Navy, Coogan stayed at center, Spindler kept the right guard position previously held by Schrauth, and Schrauth shifted to left guard.
