Irish backup QB Olsen to transfer to Virginia

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Chris Olsen, a reserve quarterback at Notre Dame, has decided to transfer to Virginia immediately, his father said.

Olsen planned to enroll at Virginia on Monday so that he will be eligible to play for the Cavaliers next year, his father, Chris Olsen Sr., told the South Bend Tribune.

"For my future as a quarterback, I think I'm better served being at Virginia," the younger Olsen told the Herald News of West Paterson for Monday's editions.

"I left because I felt like I was possibly not the guy they were looking for in the future, and I respect that," he said.

Olsen missed Saturday's practice for what coach Tyrone Willingham called personal reasons. The team did not practice Sunday. Olsen, a 6-foot-4, 220 pound sophomore from Wayne, N.J., was a top recruit when he signed with the Irish, but did not play last season.

Olsen's departure leaves Notre Dame with three quarterbacks: returning starter Carlyle Holiday, Pat Dillingham, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship last year, and freshman Brady Quinn.

Olsen's brother, Greg, a highly touted freshman tight end, is still with the Irish. Chris Olsen Sr. said Greg Olsen had no plans to leave Notre Dame.

"I told Greg that he was separate from Chris," Olsen said. "He can't let Chris' situation bother him. He has to be his own guy."