Center Pat Coogan and right guard Rocco Spindler, both starters on the offensive line during Notre Dame’s playoff run to the national championship game, are entering the transfer portal.

Neither began 2024 as a starter but worked their way into the lineup after injuries to players ahead of them and then remained starters the rest of the year. With every offensive lineman eligible to return next season, players entering the portal was expected.

Sam Pendleton, who beat both Coogan and Spindler out for a starting job to start 2024, but then finished the season as a backup, entered the portal on Wednesday.

Coogan started in 13 games in 2023 at guard, began 2024 as a backup and then started at center for 13 games in 2024 after Ashton Craig went down with a season ending injury. A life long Notre Dame fan, Coogan was a leader on the team and was known for his fiery motivational speeches to his teammates moments before games. With 26 starts under his belt, his Notre Dame degree in hand and no guarantee of a starting job in 2025 with Craig expected back for the start of training camp, Coogan decided to move on.

Spindler has a similar story. He was a starter in 2023 at guard, began 2024 as a backup and then injuries allowed him to move into a starting role. He never gave it up from there, starting in the final 13 games of the season. He injured his ankle during the Indiana game to open the playoffs but fought through the pain to start in each postseason contest even while missing time during some games.

Even with Coogan, Spindler and Pendleton transferring, Notre Dame has a lot returning with Craig, Billy Schrauth, Aamil Wagner, Anthonie Knapp and Charles Jagusah all having starting experience. Guerby Lambert and Sullivan Absher could also compete for playing time.

Also on Wednesday, wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie announced they were transferring.

On Thursday, cornerback and captain Benjamin Morrison officially declared for the NFL Draft.