In a huge development for the 2020 depth chart, former Notre Dame target and current Ohio State Buckeye Isaiah Pryor announced his intent to transfer to Notre Dame after this season. The Irish pursued Pryor heavily in high school, first at Georgia’s Pace Academy and later at IMG, but lost out to the bright lights of Columbus; the second time around, though, they were able to seal the deal. Pryor was passed by younger players but still had a role, as evidenced by reports that the Ohio State staff was not at all happy to lose him. We’ll get into this more below, but he’s assured of at least stepping immediately into the two-deep at Notre Dame. Pryor will graduate early and have two years of eligibility remaining, so this could be big for the 2021 depth chart as well.

Recruiting Service Rankings – 2017 Cycle

247Sports Composite — 4 star (.9712), #63 overall, #8 S, #10 in FL

247Sports — 4 star (95 rating), #77 overall, #10 S, #12 in FL

Rivals — 4 star (5.9 rating), #106 overall, #12 S, #20 in FL

ESPN — 4 star (86 rating), #45 overall, #3 S, #9 in FL

Cohort

As a recruit Pryor had over 40 offers, including some of the biggest names in the country – Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oklahoma, etc. As a grad transfer I’m sure he would’ve had many suitors if he wanted, but as far as I can tell he only visited Notre Dame – once on an official for the USC game with his father, once on an unofficial this past weekend with both parents.

Highlights

We’re three years on from when this video was made, but people don’t make Hudl videos of their college play so here we are. Even so, there’s useful stuff here. Pryor displays outstanding athleticism throughout and looks every inch of his listed 6’2″. He takes smart angles to the ball and is a sure tackler when he gets there. Did I mention athleticism? He can flat-out run. He was a part-time starter for Ohio State last year, so a good amount of what is on film here must have translated; his transfer is more related to a lack of fit for what new DB coach Jim Hafley wants to do than a pure lack of production.

Impact

Jalen Elliott will exhaust his eligibility this year. Alohi Gilman will not, but it would be fairly surprising if he decides to return for 2020. That means the safety depth chart would be Kyle Hamilton (great!), the oft-shuffled Houston Griffith (maybe OK?), converted corner DJ Brown (hasn’t played a meaningful snap yet, I think), and… well… I don’t know? Pryor will graduate from Ohio State in December and enroll at Notre Dame in January, so he’ll be able to participate in spring ball. There’s a very strong probability he’ll start in 2020, and if he doesn’t it’ll be because his presence has pushed Griffith to elevate his game. Huge, huge, huge.

Welcome (finally!) to the Irish Family, Isaiah!