A dozen players have left the Stanford football program, the Athletics Department confirmed late Tuesday afternoon.

Among the notable departures are linebacker Nick Macaluso, offensive lineman Bert McBride and safety Sean Wiser.

Macaluso started 16 games in his Cardinal career, including four last season, while McBride was a valued reserve who saw extensive playing time in Stanford’s linemen-heavy diesel package in 2009. Wiser, who tallied eight starts in 2008, was forced into a medical retirement. Outside of Wiser, the Athletics Department would not disclose the reasons for the athletes’ departures.

Other players included cornerback Mark Mueller, who saw significant action on special teams, and Travis Golia, who was the Cardinal’s kickoff specialist early in 2008 but lost the battle for place-kicker in 2009.

The rest of the list includes wide receiver Marcus Rance and linebacker Jonathan Frink, both of whom battled persistent injuries throughout their careers, back-up long snapper Andrew Fowler, cornerbacks Marcus Turner and Ryan Ballenger, fullback Liam McNally and wide receiver Brad Busby.

One player is still in limbo: offensive tackle Matt Kopa, who began the season as the Cardinal’s starting left tackle. After a fractured foot sidelined him for practically all of 2009, Kopa applied for a medical redshirt in an effort to get a sixth year of eligibility. Senior Assistant Athletic Director Jim Young said that “Kopa’s status is still under appeal with the NCAA.” Kopa, expected to compete for a starting spot if he returns healthy and is granted another season, would be out of eligibility if the NCAA denies his request.