07/11/2008

Associated Press

Starting cornerback Darrin Walls will not play for Notre Dame next season and wide receiver D.J. Hord has decided not to return for his senior season.

Walls plans to take the fall semester off for personal reasons and return home to Pittsburgh following the end of summer school, coach Charlie Weis said Friday.

"We won't have Darrin with us this season but I hope to have him return for the spring semester," Weis said.

Walls, a junior, started every game except one against UCLA. He had 32 tackles, one interception and nine passes broken up.

"Fortunately, cornerback is a position of strength on our team and this will provide opportunities for increased playing time for our corners," Weis said.

Terrail Lambert returns as a fifth-year senior and junior Raeshon McNeil, who played in 11 games last season, had nine tackles and three pass breakups. Sophomore Gary Gray, who missed his entire freshman season after undergoing shoulder surgery, is expected to contribute.

Hord, a highly recruited player out of high school, had two catches for 7 yards in two seasons with the Irish. He missed his sophomore season with an Achilles' injury. He plans to transfer to a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision school.

"I'd like to thank D.J. for all he has given to this team in his three years and wish him well in his future endeavors," Weis said.