Irish junior defensive end Ronald Talley has left the football team, Notre Dame Director of Football Media Relations Brian Hardin said in an e-mail sent to local media Thursday.
"Notre Dame defensive end Ronald Talley has decided to leave the Notre Dame football team," the e-mail said. "The decision was mutually agreed upon."
Hardin said Irish coach Charlie Weis will be unavailable for comment on the situation until Monday during his next scheduled press conference.
After sitting out his freshman year, the 6-foot-4, 262-pound native of Oak Park, Mich., emerged on the defensive line as a sophomore, playing in all 12 games and starting the final six after then-starter Chris Frome suffered a knee injury during Notre Dame's 34-31 loss to Southern California Oct. 15. Talley finished the 2005 season with 26 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery in the Fiesta Bowl.
He split action with Frome at right end in the first six games this season, playing when Notre Dame is in its base 4-3 defense but sitting in nickel and dime packages. Starting in four of the six games, Talley recorded 11 tackles and one fumble recovery.
