QB Wimbush heading from Notre Dame to UCF

Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush understands the significance of his transfer decision and will make his choice of new school after this year’s bowl games. (1:40)

Former Notre Dame starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush is joining Central Florida as a graduate transfer for the 2019 season, he announced on social media on Tuesday.

The journey continues on… A sincere thank you to Notre Dame for giving me endless opportunities on and off the field. Words truly can not describe what this incredible University and the PEOPLE mean to me and always will mean to me. I’m truly thankful. Cannot say it enough. With that being said, I am excited to announce that UCF has granted me an awesome opportunity to play my last year of collegiate football for their great University. Thank you to Coach Heupel, and Coach Lebby for this incredible opportunity. Looking forward to winning em all! #GoIrish #GoKnights

A post shared by @ brandon_wimbush7 on Jan 15, 2019 at 8:37am PST

Wimbush, from Teaneck, New Jersey, started 12 games at quarterback for the Fighting Irish in 2017 and the first three games this past season. He was replaced by Ian Book, who helped guide the Irish to a 12-0 record in the regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Wimbush replaced an injured Book on Nov. 10 in Notre Dame’s home finale against Florida State and threw three touchdowns passes and two interceptions with 68 rushing yards in a 42-13 victory.

He also reportedly considered Penn State as a transfer destination.

Wimbush, who can play this upcoming season, will probably compete with UCF rising sophomore Darriel Mack Jr. for the starting job. It is unknown when Knights star quarterback McKenzie Milton, who threw for 2,663 yards with 25 touchdowns this past season, will be fully recovered from a devastating knee injury he suffered late in the 2018 season.

Mack started three games for UCF in Milton’s absence last season. He threw for 619 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

“Coach [Josh] Heupel appears to be very confident in how he can coach Brandon,” Wimbush’s mother, Heather, told ESPN. “I like his approach and he certainly has proven success as both a quarterback coach and player.”

Wimbush completed 51 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while rushing for 1,155 yards with 16 scores in 20 games at Notre Dame.

In 2017, he guided the Irish to four wins over teams that finished in the AP Top 25 and set a school single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 207 against Boston College and a single-season mark for rushing touchdowns by a QB with 14.

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren and Andrea Adelson contributed to this report.

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