Everett Golson has been suspended from Notre Dame due to "poor academic judgment," the former starting quarterback said in a statement given to ESPN's Tom Rinaldi.
"I have been informed by the University of Notre Dame that due to my poor academic judgment that I have been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term," Golson said. "I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community."
Golson started 11 games for the Fighting Irish last season as a redshirt freshman, leading the team to the Discover BCS National Championship, where it lost to Alabama to finish a 12-1 season.
He completed 187-of-318 passes for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. Golson also rushed for 298 yards and six scores.
"My parents and the community I grew up in have instilled values in me that have and will continue to allow me to be successful in the future," he said. "There have been many lessons learned as I worked to become the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and each was a result of Coach Kelly's belief in me as an athlete and a person.
"At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual.
"Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014."
Golson's departure leaves a major question mark at a position where coach Brian Kelly was expecting to see big improvement in an offense that struggled for much of last season, with the Irish finishing 54th in the nation in total offense, including 71st in passing offense.
Former Oklahoma State quarterback Wes Lunt has drawn interest from Notre Dame within the past month and now may again be an option, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad. Lunt will visit Louisville on Tuesday, a source said.
Lunt would not be eligible this season. He is also considering Illinois.
Former Fighting Irish quarterback Gunner Kiel transferred to Cincinnati last month. He said Sunday he is committed to coach Tommy Tuberville and the Bearcats in response to speculation he could try to return to Notre Dame.
Senior Tommy Rees is the most experienced quarterback enrolled, with 18 career starts. Fourth-year junior Andrew Hendrix and Malik Zaire, a spring enrollee, are also on the depth chart.
Zaire was the sixth-ranked QB prospect in the Class of 2013, according to the ESPN 300.
There could be precedent for a chance to reapply to Notre Dame, as former players Darrin Walls and Gary Gray missed a semester because of reported academic issues and returned.
