Former Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush revealed via social media Tuesday that he is heading to Central Florida next season as a graduate transfer.
“A sincere thank you to Notre Dame for giving me endless opportunities on and off the field,” Wimbush wrote on Instagram. “Words truly can not describe what this incredible University and the PEOPLE (sic) mean to me and always mean to me. I’m truly thankful. Cannot say it enough.”
Wimbush visited UCF’s campus over the weekend and becomes the third former Notre Dame player to transfer to UCF, joining offensive lineman Parker Boudreaux and tight end Jonathon MacCollister. He also continues a tradition of Notre Dame quarterbacks pursuing opportunities as graduate transfers at Florida schools, as Everett Golson went to Florida State in 2015 while Malik Zaire transferred to Florida in 2017.
A product of St. Peters Prep and a four-star recruit in the 2015 recruiting class — rated the nation’s No. 3 dual-threat according to 247Sports — Wimbush played in two games for the Irish his freshman season as a backup, highlighted by a 58-yard touchdown run against Massachusetts.
After not playing his sophomore season, Wimbush took the reins of the Irish offense in 2017, starting 12 games and throwing for 1,870 yards and 16 touchdowns to six interceptions while rushing for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Although Ian Book replaced him in the Citrus Bowl and led Notre Dame to a comeback victory against LSU, Wimbush retained the starting job through the offseason and into the 2018 campaign, leading Notre Dame to wins over Michigan, Ball State and Vanderbilt. Though Irish head coach Brian Kelly eventually gave Book the nod ahead of the Wake Forest game, Wimbush returned as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame’s senior day matchup against Florida State, leading the Irish to a 42-13 victory. Overall, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback holds a career 50.5 completion percentage over 20 appearances, with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
As a graduate transfer, Wimbush will be immediately eligible and will play his final season of college football with the Knights. With the addition of Wimbush, there is expected to be a battle in the spring for the starting position with sophomore Darriel Mack, as former starter McKenzie Milton is still recovering from multiple surgeries following an injury in the season finale against South Florida and is not expected to return to the field next season.
