Notre Dame ATH Lorenzo Styles Enters Transfer Portal

Notre Dame athlete Lorenzo Styles has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after playing 26 games for the Fighting Irish, which included 10 starts during his two years in the program. 

The 6-foot-1, 192-pounder arrived at Notre Dame as a receiver and was productive as a freshman as Styles recorded 24 receptions for 344 yards and one score, while also rushing for 37 yards. Styles ended his rookie campaign with eight catches for 136 yards and a 29-yard touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State. 

As a sophomore, Styles tallied 30 catches for 340 yards and one score, but saw his playing time decrease after a few drops. 

Notre Dame had recently seen cornerbacks TaRiq Bracy and Clarence Lewis ride the bumpy road to confidence and Styles felt he had done the same during spring ball. 

“I just had a little bit of a mental challenge, but I definitely got past that,” Styles said, “I’ve been making plays all spring ball. I feel real confident gaining trust with the quarterback when I was playing receiver, gaining my trust back with the coaches. I feel really good.”

Styles started the spring working at receiver, but then Notre Dame started to experiment with him at cornerback during the last few weeks. The move didn’t necessarily shock anyone as Styles played defensive back in high school and was heavily recruited to play defense by more than a few programs. 

“Coming from my background, I told him, I see a lot of traits that he possesses that really could resonate on the defensive side of the ball,” stated Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “But I wanted it to be his decision. I want him to feel good about what position he’s playing. And so, I said, ‘Hey, if you want to experiment, play a little bit of DB in 1-on-1s. Play man.’

It also appeared the Ohio native was more than open to making the move. 

“I’m a great a football player,” said Styles. “I even think being on the offensive side will help me play defensive back. Coach Freeman and them were just saying some things like, ‘Hey, I think you’d be great back there.’ If that will help the team, I’m going to go back there and try it out.”

Styles chose the Irish over Michigan and Ohio State. It’s worth noting Styles’ younger brother, Sonny, plays for the Buckeyes, which is the alma mater of their father. 

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