Former Union standout Tobias Merriweather to transfer after two seasons at Notre Dame

Former Union High School standout receiver Tobias Merriweather announced Wednesday he will enter the transfer portal after two seasons at Notre Dame.

Merriweather announced his decision on social media. The NCAA’s transfer portal officially opens Dec. 4, though players may make their intention to switch schools public before then.

“I want to thank Coach Freeman and his staff for giving me a chance to fulfill my dreams of playing college football,” Merriweather wrote. “I am grateful for my time at the University of Notre Dame and all it has offered me. I feel blessed to have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

“After careful consideration, consultation with my family and prayer, I have decided to seek an opportunity that best fits me and I will be entering the transfer portal.”

At 6-foot-4 with speed that saw him win the Class 4A 200 meter state championship as a senior, Merriweather was among the Northwest’s top recruits in the Class of 2022. 247Sports ranked him as the nation’s No. 11 receiver recruit and 79th overall in his class. Scholarship offers from every Pac-12 school and a litany of other high-profile programs followed.

He committed to Notre Dame prior to his senior year and stuck by his decision after coach Brian Kelly left for LSU.

Kelly had visited the Merriweather’s Vancouver home on Nov 28, 2021, eating home-cooked barbecue and professing his loyalty to Notre Dame as news of his move to LSU became public.

Merriweather played in seven games as a true freshman. His first collegiate reception went for a 41-yard touchdown on Oct. 15, 2022 against Stanford.

This season started with great potential for Merriweather, who was in the starting lineup for the team’s season opener against Navy. But he never found a role as a go-to receiver and finished the season with 14 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

Merriweather is the second Notre Dame receiver to announce his intention to transfer since receivers coach Chansi Stuckey was fired earlier this week.