Former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka has reportedly hit the transfer portal as of Thursday afternoon, August 20, and believe me, this story is wild. This isn’t just another portal entry; this kid’s college football career got a second life thanks to a successful class action lawsuit, after he went undrafted and unsigned earlier this spring.
From Undrafted to Unexpectedly Eligible Again: What Even Happened?
Can you believe this? Tuihalamaka, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound edge rusher, was staring down the end of his football journey after going undrafted and unsigned coming out of Notre Dame. But then, a massive class action lawsuit changed everything for him and over 15 other 2022 signees. These players were denied a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new age-based rules. The lawsuit? It was successful, man! So suddenly, a player who looked like he was done with college ball is now, out of nowhere, eligible to play again. That’s some movie-level plot twist right there. On3.com confirmed the move, sending shockwaves through the college football world.
Clutch Plays and Pressure Numbers: What Tuihalamaka Brings
So what kind of player is some lucky program about to snag? Let’s talk numbers. Junior Tuihalamaka, a product of Granada Hills, CA, wasn’t just a body on the field. He racked up a combined 45 quarterback pressures over his final two seasons with the Irish. Forty-five! That shows some serious disruption potential. He was also a core special teams performer for three seasons, even as a freshman back in 2022. He spent 2025 backing up Boubacar Traore off the edge, but don’t let that fool you. This dude knows how to make big plays. Remember the 2025 Sugar Bowl, that College Football Playoff quarterfinal win against Georgia? Tuihalamaka made a huge fumble recovery that set up a game-turning touchdown for the Irish. That’s clutch when it counts!
The Next Chapter: Where Does This Story Go?
With Notre Dame still having Traore at the former Vyper spot, plus Loghan Thomas and freshmen Rodney Dunham and Ebenezer Ewetade in reserve, the depth chart is there for the Irish. For Tuihalamaka, this portal entry is a chance at a fresh start and an unexpected final college season. It’s also pretty cool that his younger brother, Alifeleti Tuihalamaka, a four-star defensive lineman listed at 6-4 and 260 pounds, gave a nonbinding commitment to USC in early May for the 2027 recruiting class. College football is wild, and this family is right in the thick of it. Which team will be smart enough to grab an experienced, pressure-creating edge rusher whose career just got a phenomenal second chance? We’re all watching to see where he lands.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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