Notre Dame has learned the hard way that recruiting star ratings are essential to competing at the highest level in college football.

Despite making the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoffs, Tennessee has a lot of remodeling to do over the offseason. Josh Heupel has taken an aggressive approach in the college football transfer portal and landed another commitment from former Notre Dame offensive tackle Sam Pendleton.

As expected when he entered the transfer portal with a non-contact tag, former Notre Dame offensive lineman Sam Pendleton has committed to Tennessee. His decision to come to Knoxville comes under a week after playing in the National Championship with the Fighting Irish.

Under Bowden and head coach Marcus Freeman's guidance in 2024-25, Notre Dame finished 14-2 on a campaign that included a dominant 13-game win streak. The Fighting Irish's loss to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship on Monday night was their first since September 7.