Notre Dame football: Jake Golic transferring to Cincinnati

Former Notre Dame tight end Jake Golic announced on his Twitter account Tuesday that he is transferring to the University of Cincinnati.

"Can't thank the ND family enough for all the love and support over the last 4 years at ND. You have made it a pleasure to be Irish!" Golic wrote. "With that being said, I am incredibly excited about the opportunity of attending the University of Cincinnati and being a #bearcat!"

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Golic appeared in five games over the course of his ND career and did not catch a pass. The son of former Irish standout and current ESPN personality Mike Golic battled injuries throughout his career and played behind standouts Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Eifert. Golic was selected as a U.S. Army All-American after playing at Northwest Catholic HIgh in West Hartford, Conn.

Golic becomes the second ND player to transfer to Cincinnati, Irish coach Brian Kelly's former school. Earlier this spring, freshman quarterback Gunner Kiel transferred to Cincinnati.

Golic's older brother, Mike Jr., completed his eligibility at Notre Dame last season. The offensive lineman went undrafted and signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early ranking

Athlon Sports slates ND as the No. 8 team in its preseason poll.

Defensive end Stephon Tuitt and nose guard Louis Nix were named to the magazine's first-team All-American unit, and left tackle Zack Martin to the third team.

ND's defensive line was rated the country's second-best unit, the linebacker group sixth and the defensive backs No. 10.