Notre Dame DB Jalen Stroman Focused on Recovery, Ready to Make an Impact
Notre Dame graduate transfer Jalen Stroman thought he would hit the ground running when he arrived on campus in January.
The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder missed most of the 2025 campaign with an injury and then found out he had to get a clavicle injury cleaned up when the Notre Dame medical team did a routine CT scan.
“I was supposed to get cleared and then I went and got a CAT scan and found out I had to get just a little surgery,” stated Stroman. “I took it on the chin and just went and went about it and just went about my business.”
It might be a little frustrating for Stroman not to be full go for spring ball, but the good news is he’ll be back sooner rather than later.
“Probably the end of spring,” Stroman said of when he should be cleared. “I feel pretty good. Right now, I honestly feel pretty strong. I just got to get it stronger, make sure it's stable and just ready to go.”
How did Stroman end up at Notre Dame over Boise State, UCLA and USC? A leap of faith.
The Bristow (Va.) native didn’t know anyone on the roster when he committed to the Fighting Irish, but he quickly experienced a strong fit during his recruiting visit.
“The culture, the winning culture and just the people,” Stroman stated when asked why Notre Dame was the ideal fit. “Honestly, when I came here, it's just different, and I just liked it. It felt comfortable being here and being able to learn. As soon as, the first I walked in here, I was starting to learn. So I just felt good.”
Stroman was able to see that culture taken to another level as he moved on campus while the Irish were in the middle of a College Football Playoff run.
In fact, he and the other mid-year enrollees were in Atlanta for the National Title game, which served as significant motivation for Stroman and his new teammates.
“I would say inspiring, really, just for me to experience that from the outside, looking in,” explained Stroman. “It was inspiring for me. I want to go back. I definitely want to help this team go back there.”
When Stroman returns to the field, Notre Dame will have an experienced football player who wants to find the football.
Stroman will bring 36 games of experience and 111 career tackles to the Irish secondary and he hopes to add an interception to his resume.
“I feel like the film room definitely took a big step at Virginia Tech,” stated Stroman. “I feel like I need to work a little bit more on just picking the ball off. That's one thing I haven't done to prove myself and I definitely will.”
As for a position, it’s hard to pencil Stroman into a spot at the moment, as he is not able to practice, but he expects to start working at free safety opposite Adon Shuler.
“Me and Adon would be on the field together,” Stroman stated. “I mean, I know they've been moving me back and forth to the field and boundary.
“I feel like being versatile is everything, and as long as you can move and know everything, that's going to be really beneficial for me.”
Notre Dame has had success with grad transfer defensive backs, and Stroman is well aware of Mike Mickens’ track record with development.
Mickens wasn’t the reason Stroman picked Notre Dame and both are already on the same page despite limited practice time.
“He told me the truth and that's all I need out of a coach - and to believe in me,” said Stroman. “That's all I need. I'm gonna go work.”
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