Michigan WR Freddy Canteen to make graduate transfer to Notre Dame
Brian Kelly said on National Signing Day that Notre Dame was looking to add a graduate transfer skill player.
Freddy Canteen is it.
Canteen, a junior wide receiver at Michigan, posted news of his commitment on Instagram on Saturday night.
"Trust yourself when all men doubt you...But make allowance for their doubting too. Thank you Lord," Canteen posted. "GOD, Country, Notre Dame #Committed #GoIrish".
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, Canteen made three starts in 15 career games at Michigan, recording six catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. He did not play in the 2016 season, and thus will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. If he does indeed make a graduate transfer, Canteen will be immediately eligible to play in 2017.
Canteen first announced that he would seek a transfer on Twitter on Jan. 3.
"I am excited to announce that I am reopening my recruitment in order to continue my college football career at another school as I will be graduating from UM May 2017," Canteen posted last month. "I want to thank the University of Michigan, Coach Hoke and Coach Harbaugh for providing me the opportunity to compete at the highest level of football, while obtaining a world class education.
"The University has been great to me and I have formed fond memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Thank you all for your love and support over the last three years. I am looking forward to starting my next chapter and continuing my journey."
A Wilmington, Del., native, Canteen was ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals and a three-star recruit by 247Sports out of Eastern Christian High School in 2014.
It's worth noting that Notre Dame will host Michigan on Sept. 1, 2018.
“We’ve put a scholarship aside,” Kelly said of potentially adding a graduate transfer last week on WSBT Weekday SportsBeat. “We think we’re in a very good position with one right now that we’ll be able to close on within the next couple of weeks.”
As for Notre Dame's existing roster, three of the top four Irish wide receivers from 2016 — junior Equanimeous St. Brown (58 catches, 961 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns), sophomore Kevin Stepherson (25 catches, 462 receiving yards, 5 TD) and junior C.J. Sanders (24 catches, 293 receiving yards, 2 TD) — will return next season.
Notre Dame also signed two soon-to-be freshmen wide receivers — Michael Young and Jafar Armstrong — on National Signing Day on Feb. 1. They'll be led by first-year Irish wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander.
A first-time starting quarterback, Brandon Wimbush, is expected to deliver passes to Canteen and Co. this fall.
Thank You Lord.. God, Country, Notre Dame.. #GoIrishpic.twitter.com/q0aQLbtpfL
— CANTEEN (@FreddCanteen_) February 12, 2017
