DE Hayes leaves Notre Dame as graduate transfer

Defensive end Jay Hayes announced that he will leave Notre Dame as a graduate transfer and complete his college career with another program. Hayes will graduate from Notre Dame in May and then be eligible right away to play for a team he chooses. The fifth-year senior has one year of eligibility remaining. On Friday night, Hayes tweeted his decision. "I just want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the love and support they've poured into me," Hayes tweeted. "I will (sic) like to thank the coaching staff for granting me my release as a graduate transfer. "ND is a special place to grow as man on and off the field. I've learned so many valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I'm going to miss the relationships I've established along with all the guys on the team. It's nothing but love for y'all." Hayes was one of 10 starters expected to return to the Notre Dame defense next fall. There was a clue that something might be up with Hayes in late March when he missed a practice. Coach Brian Kelly said then the absence was for "academics." The Fighting Irish are expected to fill the void at defensive end with junior Khalid Kareem (21 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks in 2017), junior Adetokunbo Ogundeji or Julian Okwara. Sophomore Kofi Wardlow, freshman-to-be Justin Ademilola and junior Jamir Jones also could contend for playing time. Hayes' career numbers include 39 tackles while playing in 26 games during three seasons. Last season, he finished with 27 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. The 6-foot-4, 288-pound Hayes was forced onto the field as a freshman in 2015 because of injuries. He then redshirted the following year and saw limited minutes until the 2017 season. "Jay understands the standards that we have here and he just felt like a change would be better for him," Kelly said Saturday. "We granted him a release to anywhere he wants to play. We gave him the opportunity to come back if he could meet the standards that we set here and he decided to transfer. We love Jay. We wish him the best."