“Kevin is an incredible asset to this football team.” Notre Dame offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Denbrock was all set to start Kevin Bauman this season. A career marred by multiple injuries, Bauman was feeling and moving better than ever this offseason. The Irish OC envisioned him as a crucial factor in his offense after the veteran TE stayed loyal to his favorite team for six years. However, in a painful twist, Bauman, who had a healthy season in 2024, will now never start for the Fighting Irish.

Per Notre Dame’s latest communication, Kevin has suffered an articular cartilage injury in his left knee. This is his fourth major injury in the same leg in the past five seasons. This injury also means the 6′ 5″, 253 lbs tight end will not be able to play the 2025 season. The Fighting Irish confirmed the season-ending injury.

“Kedren Young (right knee, anterior cruciate ligament tear) and Kevin Bauman (left knee, articular cartilage injury) sustained injuries during preseason practice. The injuries will subsequently require surgery and force them to miss the remainder of the 2025 season.” But the biggest shock was when Bauman put an end to his career.

Taking to Instagram, Kevin penned an emotional message as he announced his retirement from football. “Life is all about the journey,” Bauman wrote. “Unfortunately, I suffered yet another season-ending injury. And while I have been struggling to soak it in, I have taken a few days and prayed about it. While my journey as a football player has come to an end, I can confidently say the rest of my life is just getting started.” The former tight end said that he will stay connected to the Fighting Irish throughout the 2025 season.

“Notre Dame means everything to me: opportunity, growth, resilience. I have been so blessed during my time here. I have made incredible connections, and most importantly, I have grown my faith to the strongest it has ever been. This place is so special,” Bauman added. This retirement not only takes away Bauman’s opportunity to play for his favorite team but also takes away the promise of a Week 1 matchup against Miami, where he was expected to go against his brother.

No more Kevin Bauman vs Alex Bauman

Kevin’s brother, Alex Bauman, came to Miami from Tulane on a transfer this year, playing as a tight end, too. His brother, unlike Kevin, had some good involvements last year and had accumulated 212 yards. Alex not only became a promising tight end at Tulane but also was pivotal in their win against USC in the 2022 season, as he caught the final touchdown for the Green Wave’s 45-46 thriller over the Trojans.

Coming in at Miami, Alex was the promised starter, and so, the matchup in Week 1 pitting both brothers against each other was exciting. Kevin even expressed excitement about the matchup in a recent interview.

“It’s weird, but definitely surreal. I mean. I love my brother to death, would do anything for him, and just to have this opportunity to think of moments in life that don’t happen very often. So my family’s jacked up, my whole family’s going to be there. We got a ton of people coming in, but just really surreal,” said Kevin about the potential matchup on August 31st. However, all of that seems to be gone now.

Bauman’s sudden exit also heavily affects head coach Marcus Freeman’s plan for the regular season. Notably, the Fighting Irish are already hit with multiple major injuries to their key players. Be it Chance Tucker and Kia Kahanu’s ACL injuries or Cooper Flanagan going out for the whole season, the last few months have been tough for Freeman.

With the 2025 regular season just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how Notre Dame fares without its key assets.