SOUTH BEND — Starting cornerback Darrin Walls is going home after summer school and will not be enrolled at Notre Dame during the fall semester for personal reasons, the school announced in a release Friday afternoon.

Walls would have been a junior this fall. The Pittsburgh native was one of the nation's highest-ranked cornerback prospects in 2006. He started 11 of 12 games for Notre Dame last year.

"We won’t have Darrin with us this season but I hope to have him return for the spring semester. Fortunately, cornerback is a position of strength on our team and this will provide opportunities for increased playing time for our corners," Irish head coach Charlie Weis said in a statement.

The school also announced senior wide receiver D.J. Hord has decided to transfer to a Division I-AA school. Hord was injured and did not play in 2006, so he has two years of eligibility remaining.

"I'd like to thank D.J. for all he has given to this team in his three years and wish him well in his future endeavors," Weis said.

The South Bend Tribune contributed to this report.