SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football has removed fourth-year junior defensive tackle Brenan Vernon from its official roster in the wake of his medical retirement from the sport.
A source confirmed the news Monday after Irish Sports Daily had the initial report.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Vernon appeared in just four games for the Irish. The Mentor, Ohio product played nine snaps in 2023 and eight more in 2024; he was credited with four total tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Vernon underwent surgery to repair an MCL injury in the spring of 2025 and never made it to the field last season. He was among those on a deep defensive line that flipped over to scout team offense to help out in game-week preparations in the trenches.
Vernon, who committed to Notre Dame in June of 2021, was a four-star signee who was rated 43rd nationally among defensive linemen by 247Sports. That pedigree never came to fruition as he was bypassed by a series of younger recruits and transfer additions.
In early June, Vernon appeared in social media posts from Italy along with several teammates, including fellow defensive linemen Loghan Thomas and Bryce Young. A handful of Irish football players typically study abroad for a few weeks each offseason.
A talented guitarist, Vernon joined backup quarterback Blake Hebert for an online performance during Notre Dame Day in April. Their combo is called Napoleon St.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football defensive tackle medically retires
Reporting by Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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By Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
