Following close behind Riley Leonard in the transfer portal for Notre Dame is another member of the Duke Blue Devils, defensive end R. J. Oben. The graduate transfer joins defensive back Jordan Clark as a new defender for the Irish, who have been looking to fill some holes on the 2024 roster.
Oben is expected to move into the slot of departing defensive lineman Jevontae Jean-Baptiste. Last year, it was Jean-Baptiste, who arrived from Ohio State as a graduate transfer and continued to watch his playing time grow as the season progressed. Oben has a notable pedigree as the son of former NFL tackle Roman Oben, who played with four teams over a 12-year career.