FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ Miami Hurricanes tight end Michael Irvin II, the son of UM legend Michael Irvin, is no longer on the team's roster and announced on Thursday that he intends to transfer.
Irvin II was absent from Miami's first two spring practices on Monday and Tuesday and wasn't listed on UM's roster when the team began practicing Thursday.
"After precise thought about my life, future, and dreams I have come to an uneasy decision to put my name in the Transfer portal," Irvin wrote in a statement posted on Twitter, where he thanked several coaches at Miami from the time of his recruitment until now.
"I will never forget my brothers and what I have been through at this place the memories and relationships will last FOREVER. This hurts my heart to the core but I believe it will be what's best for my family and myself. Nothing but love for this place and the people in it with that being said, THANK YOU MIAMI."
He'll look to play his redshirt senior season elsewhere as the Hurricanes are deep and talented at tight end _ led by standout juniors Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory. Jordan, one of three John Mackey Award finalists last season as the nation's top tight end, is sidelined with a foot injury.
"No matter what, he's family to us," Mallory said after Thursday's practice. "That's my brother. I wish nothing but the best for him. No matter where he goes, he's going to be great.
"No matter where he goes, that team is going to be lucky to get someone like him. He's a standout guy."
Miami also has up-and-coming youngsters in redshirt freshman Larry Hodges and true freshman Dominic Mammarelli at tight end.
Irvin played in all 13 games last season, making three starts, but had only two catches for 33 yards. He missed all of the 2018 regular season recovering from a knee injury, but played in the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin.
Irvin had his best season at UM as a sophomore in 2017, when he had nine receptions for 78 yards. He played sparingly as a freshman in 2016 on special teams.
Irvin played his senior season of high school at St. Thomas Aquinas, where his father starred before a standout career at UM and Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys. Irvin II played high school football in Texas before his move to Fort Lauderdale.
