Michigan losing elite DB was just made worse with Notre Dame winning out

It stung when true freshman defensive back Jayden Sanders announced he was heading to the transfer portal, leaving the Michigan Wolverines for supposedly greener pastures.

Now that he has announced his new team, there's a little extra pain on top of his departure.

Sanders announced that he was heading to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, one of the recent powerhouse programs that has continued to vie for a top spot in the country, despite not being in a conference.

No, it isn't one of Michigan's in-conference rivals like the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Michigan State Spartans, but choosing another national title contender over the Wolverines always rubs a little salt in the wound.

Jayden Sanders commits to the Fighting Irish

In 2025, Sanders didn't see a ton of in-game action for the Wolverines, but as a former four-star prospect, he had an extremely promising future with the program. Now, that promising future belongs to the Fighting Irish.

During his true-freshman season, he earned 23 total tackles (16 solo) and one pass deflection in nine appearances, with a season-high of eight tackles coming against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Sanders joined a Notre Dame transfer portal class that ranks as No. 16 in the national standings, adding to the Fighting Irish's already elite recruiting class of 2026, which ranked 12th in the country. Meanwhile, Michigan's incoming portal class ranks 69th, with 27 departures and just nine additions.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham brought three former Utah Utes along with him: tight end JJ Buchanan, as well as edge rushers Jonah Lea'ea and John Henry Daley.

So far, he has landed six other recruits from the portal, including three-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench from Texas and three-star running back Taylor Tatum from Oklahoma. Luckily for the Wolverines and thanks to Whittingham and his staff, Michigan has retained some star players as well, such as quarterback Bryce Underwood and defensive back Jyaire Hill.