Notre Dame’s KeiVarae Russell officially cleared to return by NCAA

Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell has officially been cleared to play this season by the NCAA.

Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell has officially been cleared to play this season by the NCAA, head coach Brian Kelly told reporters Tuesday. 

Russell was one of five Irish players suspended last season due to academic dishonesty. Of the five, only Russell and defensive end Ishaq Williams are still with the program. Wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and linebacker Kendall Moore have exhausted their eligibility, while safety Eilar Hardy transferred to Bowling Green. Hardy was the only suspended player to return to the field last season.

Williams, who was re-admitted to the university in June, is still waiting to be cleared by the NCAA, Kelly added. 

Ishaq Williams had to write his own personal appeal, which has been sent to the NCAA to process. So still a waiting game for #NotreDame DE.

— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) August 18, 2015

• THAMEL: KeiVarae Russell back chasing success

Russell, a senior, started all 26 games for Notre Dame in his freshman and sophomore seasons. He was a Freshman All-America selection in 2012, and recorded 51 total tackles and eight pass break-ups in 2013. 

Notre Dame returns 10 starters from last year’s defense, not including Russell.

- Dan Gartland