Of all of the needs that Notre Dame needed to get out of the transfer portal this cycle, perhaps no need was bigger (figuratively and literally) than at defensive tackle. On Tuesday, Notre Dame made public the transfer portal commitment of Pitt Panthers defensive tackle, Francis Brewu.
Brewu was recruited to Pitt by new irish defensive line coach, Charlie Partridge, in 2024 but Partridge left
for the NFL before having the opportunity to coach Brewu in college. Francis saw the field right away as a freshman, and over his first two seasons with Pitt, the 6’2” 280 pounder from Westerville, Ohio, played in 25 games. During the course of those first two seasons, Brewu compiled 51 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks.
This was a MASSIVE win for Notre Dame as they battled Ohio State for the services of Francis, who has two years of eligibility remaining in college. He is very likely a day one starter in South Bend for the Irish, and helps fortify one of the better returning defenses in the country for 2026.
Welcome to Notre Dame francis!
