Then, Tuihalamaka quickly entered the transfer portal andcommitted to LSU on Friday. More than 15 football players, including Tuihalamaka, were awarded a temporary restraining order (TRO) by aLouisianajudge on Wednesday to have a fifth year of eligibility.
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Questions were raised as to why Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman didn't bring back Tuihalamaka or consider the other available players.
But for Freeman and the Irish, it was never in the cards.ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reportedthat Freeman said it was "too late" to consider additional eligible athletes, including Tuihalamaka.
Quarterback CJ Carr during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Quarterback Teddy Jarrard during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Linebacker Jaylen Sneed during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Wide receiver Quincy Porter walks to a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Players warm up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Offensive lineman Will Black during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Tight end James Flanigan, front, during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Defensive lineman Francis Brewu during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Quarterback Teddy Jarrard during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Wide receiver Mylan Graham (3) warms up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Defensive lineman Rodney Dunham walks to a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Tight end Ian Premer (24) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Offensive lineman Will Black during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Players warm up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Wide receiver Mylan Graham (3) warms up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Tight end Cooper Flanagan during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Head coach Marcus Freeman during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
Quarterback Noah Grubbs during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Quarterback CJ Carr during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Quarterback CJ Carr during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Quarterback Teddy Jarrard during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Linebacker Jaylen Sneed during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Wide receiver Quincy Porter walks to a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Players warm up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Offensive lineman Will Black during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Tight end James Flanigan, front, during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Defensive lineman Francis Brewu during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Quarterback Teddy Jarrard during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Wide receiver Mylan Graham (3) warms up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Defensive lineman Rodney Dunham walks to a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Tight end Ian Premer (24) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Offensive lineman Will Black during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Players warm up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Wide receiver Mylan Graham (3) warms up during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Tight end Cooper Flanagan during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Head coach Marcus Freeman during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
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Gallery: See Notre Dame football open 2026 practice
Quarterback Noah Grubbs during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in South Bend.
(Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune)
"For us at Notre Dame, it's just too late [with] the graduate admissions process, and I don't think it would put a person in a good situation this late – school starts on Monday – to have success in the classroom and on the field, so that's been our stance on it," Freeman said to reporters on Friday. "Our admissions have already done their admissions and cycles. That's where the university and the athletic program stands right now."
Tuihalamaka appeared in 54 games through four seasons with the Irish. He recorded 61 tackles, four sacks, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
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