Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MAY 2024 11 UNDER THE DOME Graduate student cornerback Clarence Lewis took reps with the first-team defense during Notre Dame's spring practice March 27. Two days later, he left the Irish. Lewis entered the transfer portal, according to On3's Pete Nakos. He has one season of eligibility remaining, granted to him by the COVID-19 excep- tion. The Middletown (N.J.) Mater Dei graduate appeared in every game the past four seasons with the Irish, starting two games in 2023. Because Lewis will be a graduate transfer, he can enter his name in the portal immediately instead of waiting for the spring window to open April 15. Lewis was a valued backup defensive back for the Irish, with the ability to play both the corner and nickel positions. "We always know C-Lew can play nickel," Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said March 7. "We have that in our mind that if something happens and we need C-Lew to play nickel, he can play nickel. Right now, he's playing corner for us and doing a lot of different things for our defense." However, despite the first-team reps during practice March 27 — which came on the heels of star junior cornerback Benjamin Morrison undergoing shoulder surgery — Lewis did not have a realistic path to starting for Notre Dame in his final college season. After Lewis backed up Thomas Harper at nickel in 2023, the Irish acquired Arizona State graduate transfer Jordan Clark for the 2024 season as Harper's eligibility expired. Freeman all but declared Clark the starter at nickel on ar- rival, closing the door for Lewis there. At cornerback, junior Jaden Mickey and sophomore Christian Gray are expected to compete to start alongside Morrison (who is expected to be ready for the 2024 season) after veteran Cam Hart left for the NFL Draft. Both played over Lewis when Morrison and Hart were injured against Pittsburgh Oct. 28, and both impressed Freeman with their performances. In 51 games and 23 starts, Lewis totaled 124 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 3 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble and forced 3 more. In coverage, Lewis was targeted 172 times over his Notre Dame career, ac- cording to Pro Football Focus. He allowed 110 receptions for 1,398 yards, an average of 8.13 yards per target. Lewis gave up a passer rating of 101.4 over the course of his Irish career. In Lewis' absence, senior cornerback Chance Tucker will likely see more reps at corner and sophomore Micah Bell should get more of a shot at nickel. Both played sparingly in 2023 but project as serviceable depth for 2024. With Lewis' departure, Notre Dame is down to 89 scholarship players. The Irish need to lower that number to 85 by the start of the 2024 season. — Jack Soble The Notre Dame football program continues to utilize the NCAA Transfer Portal to enhance its 2024 roster. On March 12, they found another way to improve it when former Colgate running back and wide receiver Max Hurleman revealed his decision to the transfer to the Fighting Irish as a preferred walk-on. The 6-foot, 200-pound Hurleman announced he entered the NCAA Transfer Portal Nov. 29. He will arrive in South Bend from the FCS-level Patriot League with one more year of collegiate eligibility. While Hurleman had a role in the Raiders' offense, he was a key special teams contributor. In 2023, the Patriot League named him Special Teams Player of the Year, additionally securing a spot on the all-conference first team. Hurleman returned 5 kickoffs for 82 yards and 12 punts for 77 yards last season. He also added a pair of solo tackles and a fumble recovery. After three years as a running back, Hurleman switched to wide receiver in 2023. In his first season at the position, he caught 28 passes for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a running back during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Hurleman impacted both the run and receiving games. He had more than 200 yards receiving and 300 yards rushing during both campaigns. His junior year in 2022 was his best one. Hurleman had 397 yards on 83 carries and another 273 yards on 28 receptions. He had 1 receiving touchdown. Hurleman began his college career in 2020 after graduating from Wyomiss- ing (Pa.) Area High School. As a prep senior, he rushed 134 times for 1,238 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 15 receptions for 215 yards and 3 scores. On defense, he registered 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. — Kyle Kelly Lewis started as a freshman in 2020, but was mostly used in a reserve role the last three seasons. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER Cornerback Clarence Lewis Enters Transfer Portal FORMER COLGATE SKILL PLAYER COMMITS TO NOTRE DAME AS A PREFERRED WALK-ON