Four Notre Dame football players removed from program

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame football has had its share of ups and downs in the first months of its offseason. Between the end of the regular season and its Citrus Bowl win on Jan. 1, the program took action to deal with disciplinary issues regarding several players.

Now, the Irish have closed that chapter with four players.

A program spokesperson has confirmed that wide receiver Kevin Stepherson, running backs Deon McIntosh and C.J. Holmes, and defensive lineman Brandon Tiassum are no longer with the program.

Stepherson and Holmes were the first to receive discipline in the break before the bowl game. Both were suspended indefinitely for a shoplifting arrest at University Park Mall. Stepherson also received a drug possession charge during a traffic stop that same week, in addition to a 2016 arrest.

McIntosh was sent home from the Citrus Bowl due to a violation of team rules.

Tiassum hasn't had anything worth public reprimand to this point.

This comes one day after the Irish received the good news that defensive stars Jerry Tillery and Te'von Coney would return for the 2018 season, perhaps the biggest win of this roller coaster offseason for the Irish.