Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame’s First Off-Season Portal Entry Lands at SEC School

Sam Pendleton didn't take long to announce his new college choice
Nick Shepkowski|
Early-enrolled freshman offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (72) walks into spring practice Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Notre Dame in South Bend
Early-enrolled freshman offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (72) walks into spring practice Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Notre Dame in South Bend | Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK

In this story:

Notre Dame Fighting IrishTennessee Volunteers

It didn't take long for former Notre Dame offensive guard Sam Pendleton to find a new home via the transfer portal.

Pendleton announced on Wednesday that he was entering the transfer portal after starting the first seven games of the 2024 season for Notre Dame. By Friday morning, Pendleton had already made his official decision for what's next publically known.

Pendleton announced that he has committed to the University of Tennessee to join the Volunteers football program.

Pendleton will have three years of eligibility remaining with Tennessee.

Transfer Portal - Read Between the Lines

Tennessee band walks into Neyland Stadium for the 2024 season opene
The Pride of the Southland Band during a game between Tennessee and Chattanooga, in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pendleton announced on Wednesday that he was entering the transfer portal and by Friday had already made his decision publicly known.

It doesn't take the brightest crayon in the box to figure out that something was in the works here, considering Pendleton entered the portal with a "do not contact" tag.

I'm not saying that's at all wrong or unique as you have to look no further than Riley Leonard entering the portal from Duke with the same tag last year. It's just the way college football works for better or worse and is yet another thing the NCAA has failed to get a handle on in this new era.

More From Notre Dame on SI

2025 Notre Dame Football Off-Season Roster Tracker

Notre Dame Set to Open 2025 Season at Old Rival on a Sunday Night

Ranking Notre Dame's 2024 Games by Satisfaction Level


Kirk Herbstreit Analyzes Notre Dame's Staying Power in College Football Ranks


Notre Dame Loses 2024 Starting Offensive Lineman to Transfer Portal

Notre Dame Loses Two Wide Receivers to Transfer Portal

Published
Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

Home/Football