Notre Dame OG Colin McGovern will transfer to Virginia for fifth season

Colin McGovern's college football career will continue, just not at Notre Dame. 

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior guard will make a graduate transfer to Virginia for his fifth and final season in 2017, McGovern confirmed to the Tribune on Tuesday.

A native of New Lenox, Ill., McGovern started eight games at right guard for the Irish in 2016. He appeared in 21 games in his four-year Notre Dame career.

McGovern will find a familiar face when he sets down in Charlottesville, Va. Former Notre Dame offensive lineman John Montelus also previously announced that he'll transfer to Virginia for his fifth and final season.

Notre Dame's four other starters on the offensive line last season — left tackle Mike McGlinchey, left guard Quenton Nelson, center Sam Mustipher and right tackle Alex Bars — are expected to return in 2017 in front of junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Junior Tristen Hoge and sophomores Tommy Kraemer, Liam Eichenberg and Parker Boudreaux are all expected to compete for the opening at right guard and push the returning starters for available reps.

Notre Dame's offensive line underachieved in 2016, as the Irish offense averaged 163.3 rushing yards per game (80th nationally) and 4.5 yards per carry (62nd), while allowing 28 sacks (85th).

Virginia, meanwhile, finished 121st out of 128 teams nationally in rushing offense last season, averaging just 113.6 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per rush.