Junior DE Khalid Kareem announces he'll return to Notre Dame for his senior season

It’s not a huge surprise, but good news Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly will happily accept, nonetheless.

A little over an hour before the calendar flipped to 2019 on Monday night, Irish junior defensive end Khalid Kareem tweeted on his Twitter account that he’s returning to Notre Dame for his senior season.

Can’t Leave On That Note~☘️ #SeniorSznpic.twitter.com/AU4DtMomGl

— Khalid A. Kareem (@khalid_kareem53) January 1, 2019

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Detroit product is one of five Irish players with remaining eligibility who were expected to explore early entry into the 2019 NFL Draft.

Tight end Alizé Mack, a senior with a fifth-year-option, earlier in the month opted to leave early, but will have his degree in hand.

Wide receiver Miles Boykin, another senior with a fifth-year option, junior cornerback Julian Love and junior defensive end Julian Okwara all have until the Jan. 14 deadline for underclassmen to apply to make their decisions.

Of that group, All-American Love is the most likely to leave. He received a second-round grade from the College Advisory Committee in late December.

Kareem had a breakout season in 2018 for the Irish (12-1). He had 42 tackles, five pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, four sacks and a forced fumble. His 10.5 tackles for loss were tied for second on the team.

Notre Dame opens the 2019 season Sept. 2 at Louisville.