Notre Dame sophomore TE Alizé Jones has been ruled academically ineligible and will miss the 2016 season.
Advertisement
The Notre Dame off-season was uncharacteristically quiet in 2016.
Notre Dame had previously lost receiver Corey Robinson (concussions) this offseason.
The loss of Jones is obviously big for the Notre Dame offense given Jones’ unique skillset. As a true freshman last season, he played in all 13 games and started five for the Irish, catching 13 passes for 190 yards.
The Irish also have a pretty decent stable of tight ends as well.
Shortly after the release, Jones cleared up any ambiguity by stating that he did not live up to his academic requirements in a tweet (see below).
Jones was still behind Smythe on the depth chart at tight end entering the upcoming season, but he still managed to make the Mackey Award watch list, one of 45 tight ends nationally to earn the distinction.
“Notre Dame is a special place and playing football for the Irish is a privilege, ” Jones wrote.
The tight end position, diluted by Smythe’s injury and roster turnover, produced just 20 catches in 2015.
The University gave no official reason for Jones’ suspension, however, Jones indicated on Twitter that the suspension is rooted in an academic issue.
If his ceiling is as high as many think and his drive to get himself on solid academic ground is as earnest as his Wednesday statement, Jones may not use all of his college eligibility anyway. Instead, the move tight end will hit the books.
Advertisement
But Jones’ head is apparently where it needs to be at this juncture, putting first things first and taking accountability not only for his comeback but for his fall.
