Aaron Lynch Rumors: Notre Dame Coach Expects Star DE To Return

As a freshman, defensive end Aaron Lynch led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in sacks, with five, putting up 33 tackles and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage. Though he's only a sophomore, he enters 2012 as one of Notre Dame's most experienced defensive linemen, but Irish fans will have to hope he's able to work through whatever it is that's affecting him off the field.

Lynch missed practice Wednesday, which coach Brian Kelly downplayed. Kelly said Lynch will return after Easter break and resume practicing as normal and denied that he'll be playing anywhere besides Notre Dame in the immediate future.

Hailing from Florida, Lynch has dealt with a case of homesickness. His mother moved to nearby Ohio to be closer to him, which led to a confusing moment earlier in the week when she denied Kelly's claim that Lynch was in Florida with her:

Aaron is at home with me and isn't in no Florida.Stop the rumors!!!!!!!

— alice Lynch (@alicelynch1) April 4, 2012

OMG! Brian Kelly has no idea where one of his best players is! He ... oh:

Now I see, Coach Kelly just forgot we had moved to Ohio.

— alice Lynch (@alicelynch1) April 4, 2012

Follow @SBNationCFB

For more on Irish football, visit Notre Dame blog One Foot Down, plus SB Nation Indiana.