Former Notre Dame running back Greg Bryant announces transfer to UAB

Anyone in South Bend hoping Greg Bryant returns to Notre Dame received an abrupt surprise Wednesday. The former Notre Dame running back announced he has committed to the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Bryant started the year with Notre Dame before being suspended for the first four games of the season. It was then announced he had been declared academically ineligible. The running back then transferred to a Miami junior college.

Last season Bryant was one of a handful of backs the Irish used. As a sophomore, Bryant rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 50 yards, all as the team’s third back.

Making Bryant’s decision to transfer to UAB even stranger is the program’s recent history. Late last year the football team disbanded despite objections both internally and nationally. Over the summer the school announced they would reinstate the football team, but not until the 2017 season.

NBC Sports reports Bryant is expected to have just one year of eligibility once the program is reinstated. However, that could be adjusted given the unusual circumstances.