SOUTH BEND (AP) — Notre Dame starting nose tackle Pat Kuntz is not enrolled in school for the spring semester for what he termed "personal reasons."

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior, speaking from his home in Indianapolis, would not elaborate further on why he was not at school. Because of privacy laws, the university could not comment on Kuntz's status other than to say he is not enrolled, said Brian Hardin, director of football media relations.

Kuntz said he plans to return to Notre Dame, possibly as early as this summer, and hopes to play for the Irish this fall.

"No matter what I'm going to be back there. I'm going to have one more year to play and I'm going to graduate from Notre Dame," said Kuntz, who is majoring in sociology. "The time is the only thing that's not 100 percent."

Kuntz hopes to know in the next month whether he will be back in school in time to play next fall.

Kuntz started 10 games as the Irish went 3-9 last season, but missed the final two games with injuries. He tore ligaments in his left knee against Air Force and found out a back injury from the previous game against Navy was a cracked bone in his spine.

Kuntz said his knee is mending and he hopes to be able to resume running full speed in the next week or so. He said his back is fully healed.

One of the more colorful players on the Irish squad, Kuntz was seventh on the team in tackles last season with 42 and led the team with nine pass breakups. Kuntz's backup, Ian Williams, played well at the end of the season and finished with 45 tackles.