Notre Dame sophomore tight end Joseph Fauria has asked for and been granted his release from the Irish football program and intends to transfer, he confirmed late Friday afternoon.

The 6-foot-7, 245-pounder from Encino, Calif., recently had been suspended from school by the university’s Office of Residence Life for undisclosed disciplinary reasons until January.

"At first I was going to do everything I could to stay," he said via cell phone. "Coming to Notre Dame was a lifelong dream of mine. I just felt I needed to get a fresh start. I am still a big Notre Dame fan.

"Coach Weis did so much for me. He'll always feel like a part of my family. I'm going to follow ND this fall. They're going to be very good."

Fauria was one of the biggest pleasant surprises of spring practice, jumping to No. 2 on the tight end depth chart behind incumbent starter Kyle Rudolph.

He played in three games in 2008, logging roughly 21 minutes of playing time with one special teams appearance. He caught two passes for 17 yards in the April Blue-Gold Game.

He was pressed into action, as a lithe freshman, late in the 2008 season when injuries and suspensions depleted the tight end corps.

Weis was unavailable for comment.

"I’m not sure where I’m going to land, but I’ll probably stay close to home and go to a Pac-10 school," Fauria said.

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Staff writer Eric Hansen:
ehansen@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6470