Notre Dame CB Jaden Mickey Will Redshirt, Look for Fresh Start
Game four has turned into an important date for the college football world as it’s often the week players make decisions on their future.
The NCAA allows players to play in four games and preserve a year of eligibility, so veteran players who aren’t playing as much as they’d like or those looking for a change have made decisions following the fourth game of the season - or when they have played in three or four games.
On Monday, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman announced junior cornerback Jaden Mickey would be leaving the program as he plans to redshirt, enter the Transfer Portal and earn his degree in the spring.
It’s a move that’s not overly surprising and one that was likely coming at some point, as sophomore Christian Gray has taken the majority of the reps at field corner this season. Mickey appeared in all four games in 2024, as he recorded 82 snaps with a season-high of 25 plays coming against Purdue earlier this month.
“Jaden Mickey, I had a conversation with him,” stated Freeman. “He’s decided to redshirt with the intention of going into the Transfer Portal when it opens. He will get his degree here in the spring from Notre Dame.”
Mickey and Notre Dame's journey is one of many highs and lows away from the football field. In March 2021, the former four-star prospect committed to Notre Dame without ever visiting, giving Mike Mickens a signature win on the recruiting trail.
During his time at Notre Dame, Mickey’s mother, Nilka, was going through a battle with colon cancer before passing away in December of 2023.
The decision wasn’t an easy one, but one Freeman respects and supports as Mickey looks forward to the next step in his journey.
“Everybody is going to have an opinion, myself included,” said Freeman. “It’s not our opinion that really matters. Jaden Mickey made a decision that he felt was best for him. For me to do anything other than support him, it’s selfish. I’m not in his shoes. I don’t know what’s going on in his life. This is what he said is best for him and his future.
“It would be selfish of me to have selfish thoughts and opinions about the decision he’s making. I wish him the best of luck. I love him. He’s a great young man who has been through a lot. He’ll go and do great things, but it’s not our position or anyone else's to make an opinion about what type of decision Jaden Mickey made. It’s a decision he wanted to make for him and I support him in his next endeavors.”
Notre Dame’s cornerback room is extremely thin with Mickey’s departure from the program as only Benjamin Morrison and Christian Gray have more than a year of experience. Freshman Leonard Moore has played 55 snaps on the year, including 50 in the last two games, while classmate Karson Hobbs has recorded 15 snaps in 2024.
“It will increase Leonard Moore’s role,” explained Freeman. “It will increase Karson Hobbs’ role. That’s why you have to continue to have depth. Those two guys are definitely capable of getting the job done. I still feel strongly about the depth of the cornerback room.
“Rod Heard II has played cornerback before. Jordan Clark has played corner. If injuries occur in the future, we have plans, but I think the depth in that room right now gives an opportunity for those younger guys to play some more.”
Mickey will end his time in the blue and gold with 23 tackles, four passes defended, one interception and one touchdown in 28 games played.
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