Only one Notre Dame player qualifies for NCAA’s new eligibility rule

There has been some significant changes to college football during this offseason, one of them regarding eligibility and for Notre Dame there isn’t much change.

The new five-in-five rule has been ratified during the weekend , as a ruling has made every athlete in the 2022 class eligible to play competitively in college for one more season. There is always some wonder as to what the Irish would do, but their situation is a bit easier than others, there’s just one name.

According to Jack Soble , the only player that falls into this category for Notre Dame is defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka. After not taking a redshirt and going undrafted, it would make sense for a reunion, and it very well could be happening.

247Sports reports that Notre Dame is in a position that is “leaving the program with some flexibility if they wanted to bring Tuihalamaka back.” However, they’d case some doubt after looking at the current roster and the needs that the Irish might have. I for one think that anytime you can add a veteran presence, it’s a good idea, and would welcome Tuihalamaka back with opens arms. Time will tell if the coaching staff feels the same.

For what it's worth, this applies to exactly one Notre Dame football player: Junior Tuihalamaka. No idea whether Tuihalamaka wants to return or whether the Irish would take him back (if I were them, I would), but that's who this would affect. https://t.co/F3iUCuiZHb

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) August 1, 2026 This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Only one Notre Dame player qualifies for NCAA’s new eligibility rule