University of Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly has dismissed four players from the team. Per a report from Pete Sampson of Irish Illustrated, sophomore receiver Kevin Stepherson, fresman running back C.J. Holmes, sophomore running back Deon McIntosh and junior nose guard Brandon Tiassum have all been given their walking papers.
Tiassum’s dismissal can be categorized as surprising. He didn’t log much playing time for the team in 2017, but hadn’t had any known disciplinary issues. None of the other three dismissals, however, can be called surprising.
Stepherson has had numerous issues with the law. This includes a shoplifting incident where he was arrested with Holmes. McIntosh, as Sampson noted, “was sent home from Citrus Bowl practices for a violation of team rules.”
Stepherson and McIntosh were easily the most prominent of the dismissed players on Notre Dame’s 2017 team. Stepherson caught 19 passed for 359 yards and led the team with five touchdown receptions. McIntosh, meanwhile, ran for 368 yards on 65 carries and added five touchdowns.