Departing Notre Dame football assistant Mike Mickens, 38, long ago earned the opportunity to test his approach at the game’s highest level.

Just four former transfers have been drafted out of Notre Dame football since 2020: two in the sixth round and two in the seventh.

Indiana had plenty of success with the Notre Dame transfer, Pat Coogan, it landed last year. Coogan, who was recently named the offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl, became an inspirational locker room leader for the Hoosiers and face of the team's gritty offensive line.