TE Tyler Luatua decides against transfer, will re-join Notre Dame

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Junior tight end Tyler Luatua will not transfer from Notre Dame, as he originally planned, and will return to the Irish football program this fall, the school announced Friday. 

A former four-star recruit from Paramount, Calif., Luatua announced in February his intent to transfer at the end of Notre Dame's spring semester. Multiple reports had Luatua landing at BYU. Irish Illustrated on Thursday was the first to report Luatua's intention to return to Notre Dame. 

Luatua appeared in 20 games during his first two years on campus, primarily being used as a physical blocking tight end. 

"Tyler came to me in the last couple of weeks and expressed his unquestioned desire to rejoin the program," coach Brian Kelly said. "Fortunately, we're in a position from a roster standpoint to bring him back. He's most-certainly grateful for the opportunity and I'm convinced this is the right thing for him."

Notre Dame had an open scholarship before Luatua's return and projects to have 85 players on scholarship this fall, the maximum allowed by the NCAA. 

Luatua said his initial decision to transfer was because he wanted to be closer to his family, but ultimately he felt leaving Notre Dame was the wrong move. 

"Family is extremely important to me, and I had a strong desire to get closer to them, which led to my initial decision to seek a transfer," Luatua said. "However, once I was able to truly sit down with them and talk about everything, it became obvious that Notre Dame has become my home. 

"I regretted my decision and realized that this place is where I should be, and need to be, moving forward. I'm thankful that it worked out."

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