Jayden Sanders understands he’s part of something different at University of Notre Dame.
The Irish welcomed multiple undergraduate transfers this cycle, a notable philosophical shift in South Bend, but the approach under head coach Marcus Freeman hasn’t changed at its core.
Fit still comes first. Even with a larger portal board, Notre Dame remained selective.
“I didn't realize how rare it was for undergrad transfers until I actually got into the locker room,” Sanders stated. “The players were telling me it's not really common for them to have many undergraduate transfers. I didn't really have any problems.”
Sanders was studying Communications at Michigan and will do the same at Notre Dame, where he’s majoring in Film, Television, and Theatre.
The Texas native had previously watched Notre Dame and he’s been impressed with how the secondary group conducts its business.
“I've watched Notre Dame games myself,” said Sanders. “Not saying that I knew I was going to be coming here, but just watching college football. Just them being experienced, I feel like that's great. I didn't know everybody. I wouldn't say it's an old group, but everybody's been in the system and they know everything."
On paper, Notre Dame could field one of the nation’s top secondaries entering spring practice. Sanders welcomes the challenge.
“I'm a very competitive person, so anywhere I would have chosen, I didn't have to be certain of knowing I was going to get this amount of snaps,” he explained. “I feel like they made it obvious that I was going to have to compete for a spot, which is what I like and which I don't have a problem with doing."
Sanders initially committed to former Irish secondary coach Mike Mickens, but he’ll now play under Aaron Henry following staff changes. There’s no frustration as he’s embraced how the world of college football works.
"I wouldn't say it's a bummer,” said Sanders. “I feel like Coach Henry is a great coach – getting to know him more, actually. It happens. It's college football. So it's nothing I can control."
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound defensive back totaled 23 tackles for the Wolverines last fall and is open to playing either field or boundary corner as he learns the system this spring.
"I'm just now getting into that,” stated Sanders. “It's just a new coach and seeing what he wants, what he thinks is better.
"It doesn't make a difference to me. Whichever way I can get on the field and produce, that's what I'll do."
Wherever he lines up, Sanders believes Notre Dame and Henry can help him reach the next level.
“I see that they put corners and any defensive backs in the league consistently, which is why I gravitated here,” Sanders stated.
As for expectations surrounding the 2026 season, Sanders has already embraced the program’s mindset.
“I feel like we stay level-headed,” said Sanders. “We're not looking into the future. We're in the present right now, and we're working towards that, of course, but that's not our main focus right now."
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
Under Armour Kelly Green Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sideline Rival Fleece Crewneck
