GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gestures during the first quarter of the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Notre Dame is losing yet another defensive player to transfer

Not a great situation for Brian Kelly and Notre Dame.

Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are still reeling after one of the more disastrous seasons for the program in recent memory. On Thursday afternoon, things did not get any easier for Kelly and his staff in trying to avenge a 4-8 campaign, as safety Spencer Perry announced on Twitter that he will be leaving the program via transfer.

The full statement from Perry reads as follows:

"Thanks to The University of Notre Dame for opportunity to pursue my eduction and play football. All the best to my advisors, professors, rector, teammates, coaches and the Fighting Irish fans. At this time, I am electing to transfer and continue my educational goals and football career elsewhere."

Perry entered South Bend as a three-star recruit in 2016 but did appear in six games last season as a true freshman. Before that, the talented safety attended IMG Academy in Florida and many had hopes for his time with the program.

In his absence, Notre Dame isn't exactly starving for replacement options, with Drue Tranquill, Devin Studstill and others in the mix. Still, it is never a good thing to see defections of this magnitude in April and there isn't too much optimism flowing from South Bend right now.