Notre Dame DE Aaron Lynch leaving school - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Notre Dame defensive end Aaron Lynch has left the team and plans to transfer after the spring semester.

Coach Brian Kelly said in a statement Friday that Lynch wants to return to his native Florida. He wishes Lynch the best.

Lynch, a sophomore, is one of Kelly's top recruits. He played in 12 games for the Irish as a freshman in 2011, starting six. He had 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five and a half sacks.

Notre Dame's spring drills end April 21 with its Blue-Gold game.

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