Notre Dame Football: Aaron Lynch to Transfer After Spring Semester

Well, this explains Aaron Lynch's mysterious absence from spring practice last week.

The standout freshman defensive end will be missing a lot more time in South Bend once this semester is over, according to a tweet from Notre Dame football media relations director Brian Hardin:

"

#NotreDame DE Aaron Lynch has left the football team and will transfer to another school following the spring semester.

— Brian Hardin (@NDHardin) April 13, 2012"

Update: Friday, April 13 at 11:05 p.m. EST

Sounds like Notre Dame isn't going to allow Lynch to go wherever he wants, per Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com:

"

Notre Dame won't release stud DE Aaron Lynch to FSU, UF or Miami, per a source. Hearing USF is the leader on this one.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 14, 2012"

There was a mini media firestorm last week when Lynch mysteriously went missing from the Irish's ninth spring practice session, which was described as unexpected and not due to injury. The university said Lynch was absent because of personal reasons.

Those reasons, it seems, have now been cleared up.

Last season, the Cape Coral, Fla., native registered 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles, and he demonstrated more upside than perhaps any other member of the Notre Dame defense. CBSSports.com columnist Bruce Feldman tweeted:

"

Aaron Lynch was arguably the most talented player in ND program & one of few defenders they've had in yrs who may end up a Top10 pick.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) April 13, 2012"

What It Means

Losing Lynch is a big blow for a Notre Dame team that made lots of headway in the last two seasons in trying to rebound from three consecutive years of finishing 7-6 or worse. In 2010 and 2011, the Irish went 8-5 under Brian Kelly.

What Comes Next

Once he wraps up his final semester at Notre Dame, Lynch will announce his future destination. The Florida native is likely considering a program closer to his hometown—maybe a Big East program, according to South Florida 247Sports' Josh Newberg:

"

I'm expecting Aaron Lynch to enroll at #USF possibly by this summer -- ow.ly/ag7lm

— Josh Newberg (@joshnewberg247) April 13, 2012"