Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka commits to LSU out of NCAA transfer portal
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka has committed to LSU out of the transfer portal, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. He was made eligible by a court ruling in the state of Louisiana.
Tuihalamaka was one of 16 players from the class of 2022 who was granted a restraining order that allows him to return to college this season. He had previously played for the Fighting Irish for the past four seasons.
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In 2025, Junior Tuihalamaka played in all 12 games with three starts and recorded 12 tackles, three and a half tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup. So he’s capable of contributing for a team in the College Football Playoff hunt, as LSU will hope to be this year.
Tuihalamaka actually had his most productive year statistically one year earlier, when the Fighting Irish reached the national championship game. He finished that season with 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended, an interception and a pass breakup.
Court paves way for Junior Tuihalamaka, others
At least for now, the court ruling out of Louisiana has paved the way for players like Junior Tuihalamaka and the rest of the cohort named in the suit to play in 2026. However, it’s worth noting that the NCAA has been aggressively challenging most eligibility lawsuits in court and recently won a stay in a major court case in Colorado.
Still, the list of players in the Louisiana suit also includes former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Xzavian Harris, Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams, Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright, James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson, Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka, South Carolina safety DQ Smith and SMU running back TJ Harden.
The order came down in Louisiana, granting the 16 players in the filing, including some currently in NFL training camps, the ability to enter the NCAA transfer portal. The NCAA’s rule of restitution and the ghost transfer rule are also enjoined, per On3’s Pete Nakos.
“The NCAA is ordered to open the transfer portal … for one week from entry of this order,” the TRO states.
Players currently on NFL rosters have expressed an interest in being released from their NFL contracts, according to filing attorney Ryan Downton. Should NFL teams release players by Sept. 1, that would make it permissible for the players to join a college football roster under the TRO.
On3’s Pete Nakos also contributed to this report.
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