The Notre Dame secondary added another member today and the program handed out its last available scholarship as well with the transfer of defensive back Cody Riggs from the University of Florida. Riggs is a fifth-year transfer and will be enrolled in a graduate program at Notre Dame so he will be immediately eligible this fall for the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame announces that Florida defensive back Cody Riggs will transfer into the Irish program this summer. He’ll be eligible this fall. — Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) February 19, 2014

The Composite 6th best corner in the country back in the class of 2010, Riggs came out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and had Notre Dame among his finalists before ultimately picking the Gators.

Riggs played as a true freshman in Gainesville, starting 3 games at corner and playing special teams, while totaling 18 tackles, 2 pass break ups, and 1 interception. In 2011, he started 10 games and finished with 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 2 pass break ups.

Riggs played in 2 games to begin 2012, starting 1 at Texas A&M, before breaking his foot and missing the rest of the season. He was given a redshirt.

This past season Riggs switched to safety where he started all 12 games for the Gators finishing with 51 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass break ups. Standing at 5'9" and a stout 190 pounds he doesn't have ideal safety size but is a noted tough run stopper and physical player.

With a chance to play right away and compete immediately Riggs could get a look at a number of positions at Notre Dame but is probably best suited as a corner or nickel back. As a highly recruited athlete who started 26 games on several strong Florida defenses Riggs should clearly be in a battle to start at Notre Dame in 2014.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly announced today that Cody Riggs will attend graduate school at the University and play for Fighting Irish this fall. Riggs will graduate with a degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida in May and join the Notre Dame program in June. "Cody Riggs is an outstanding player," said Kelly. "He played a ton of football at Florida having started at both safety and corner back. 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. His decision to complete his collegiate playing career and pursue a graduate degree at the University of Notre Dame speaks volumes about both our program and University." "I am very thankful for this opportunity," said Riggs. "I fully intend to make the most of this opportunity by not only giving my absolute best effort, but also leading by example both on and off the field. "Being on campus, meeting with the academic personnel and interacting with the Notre Dame players helped me dot the I's and cross the T's on what has been the toughest decision of my life. I am excited about working hard in the classroom and expanding my professional network in pursuit of a graduate degree from Notre Dame. I am equally excited to contribute on the field and make some big plays to help the team win games."

Welcome to Notre Dame, Cody!