The case was already clear. Defensive tackle stood alone as the one position Notre Dame could not afford to ignore in the transfer portal heading into 2026. The Irish were already facing uncertainty, thin experience, and a defensive front that needed at least one proven interior presence to stabilize the unit. That was before the roster lost one of its most trusted trench players. On Monday, Donovan Hinish announced his retirement from football, citing ongoing shoulder issues. With that decision, what had been a pressing concern became something closer to a roster emergency.
Notre Dame didn’t just lose depth.