Ex-Gator Riggs headed to Notre Dame

Feb 19, 2014 - 8:49 PM South Bend, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Defensive back Cody Riggs will transfer from Florida to Notre Dame for the 2014 season and be eligible to play immediately, Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly announced Wednesday.

Riggs, who started 26 games over three seasons with the Gators, will earn his degree from Florida in May and join the Notre Dame program the following month as a graduate student.

"Cody Riggs is an outstanding player," said Kelly in a statement. "He played a ton of football at Florida having started at both safety and cornerback. Cody definitely brings veteran leadership and versatility to our team and defense." He will help us immediately but, more importantly, Cody is a great kid with a tremendous focus on both football and academics."

The Fort Lauderdale native bounced back from an injury-shortened 2012 campaign to start all 12 games at safety for Florida this past season, finishing fourth on the team with 51 tackles -- including 6 1/2 for loss -- and 1 1/2 sacks.

Riggs also made 10 starts at cornerback as a true sophomore in 2010, but appeared in only two games the following year before suffering a season-ending fractured foot.