BREAKING: TE Tyler Luatua Granted Medical Disqualification

Notre Dame tight end Tyler Luatua will see his football career come to an end. The senior will go on medical scholarship and will hang up his cleats.

It’s always a difficult decision for a player to step away from football, said Brian Kelly in statement. “Most importantly, Tyler will still have an opportunity to earn his degree from the University.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder was in the news last spring as he announced his transfer to BYU but then decided against it and returned to the Notre Dame program.

Luatua chose the Irish over Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, and UCLA. The California native ended his prep career playing in the Under Armour All-American Game in 2014.

At Notre Dame, Luatua saw action in 10 games as a freshman, including a significant role as a lead blocker in the Music Bowl victory over LSU in 2014.

As a sophomore, Luatua played in 10 games and was used almost strictly as a blocking tight end. Luatua played in all 12 games in 2016 but did not record a reception.

Notre Dame will turn to fifth-year senior Durham Smythe, senior Nic Weishar, junior Alizè Mack, and freshman Brock Wright and Cole Kmet to fill out the position in 2017.