www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 11, 2021 17
BY TODD D. BURLAGE
N
otre Dame head coach Brian
Kelly wasted no time last Janu-
ary explaining to his newly
hired defensive coordinator
Marcus Freeman that easing into the
new job wasn't an option.
Four days prior to Freeman's intro-
duction at Notre Dame, Irish senior
Houston Griffith — the top-rated player
in the 2018 recruiting class — had en-
tered his name into the NCAA's transfer
portal and Kelly summoned Freeman to
re-recruit and bring back his talented
yet still undefined defensive back.
And with Georgia and Oklahoma hot
on the Griffith hunt, there was no time
to waste.
Working through multiple position
changes over three years with not much
to show for it left Griffith disenchanted
and ready for a fresh start and new sur-
roundings.
Freeman immediately went to work
Welcome Back
Houston Griffith returned to Notre
Dame after spending 18 days in
January considering a transfer
While spending last season mainly on special teams
and in dime packages as a sixth defensive back on
obvious passing situations, Griffith recorded a mod-
est 14 tackles in 12 games, including two starts.
His career totals include 36 games, 33 tackles, one
tackle for loss and three passes broken up.
PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER
