Defensive back Cody Riggs will enroll at Notre Dame this summer after graduating from Florida, the Fighting Irish announced Wednesday.
"Cody Riggs is an outstanding player," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said in a release. "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."
Riggs, whom the Gators announced two weeks ago would transfer, played in 40 games at Florida, starting 26 at both cornerback and safety. He brings to the Irish a resume that includes 107 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two pass break-ups for his career.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder missed the season's final 11 games in 2012 because of an injury and moved to safety in '13, though he is expected to compete at Notre Dame for the starting cornerback spot opposite junior KeiVarae Russell.
"I am very thankful for this opportunity," Riggs said in a release. "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."
Riggs is expected to graduate from Florida in May with a degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences before enrolling at Notre Dame in June. He will have immediate eligibility for the 2014 season because of the NCAA's graduate-transfer rule.
Riggs was ESPN's No. 79 overall prospect coming out of Florida's St. Thomas Aquinas High in the Class of 2010, and he was the seventh-ranked cornerback. He is the nephew of former Irish wide receiver Bobby Brown.