Notre Dame defensive end Aaron Lynch has left the Fighting Irish football team and will transfer to another school at the end of the spring semester, the University announced today. This is a huge loss as Lynch was the jewel of Brian Kelly‘s first ND recruiting class and figured to be the Irish most powerful and best d lineman this fall.
Lynch was a top rated recruit who committed to Notre Dame, de-committed in the wake of the Declan Sullivan tragedy, and then committed again to the Irish. He also dominated last year’s spring game.
โAaron recently approached me about his desire to leave Notre Dame and return to Florida,โ Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said.
โIโve always known and appreciated the affinity Aaron has for his home in Florida. However, the stark reality is you canโt make it at Notre Dame if your head and heart are not here. I am proud of the effort Aaron made in the classroom and on the field at Notre Dame. I wish him all the best in the future.โ
Lynch played in 12 games for the Irish as a freshman in 2011, starting six contests. He recorded 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a team leading five and a half sacks. He figured to be the Irish leading pass rusher this season. Now the extra year for Kapron Lewis-Moore looks even more important for the Notre Dame defense.
โI want to thank Coach Kelly for giving me this great opportunity to attend Notre Dame and be part of the Fighting Irish football family,โ Lynch said. โThis was one of the toughest decisions I have had to make, but I want to go back home to Florida. Iโm grateful to Coach Kelly for understanding and allowing me to return home.โ
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. Heโs also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, MSN and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and heโs a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.