(Update: Daniels has re-opened the idea of returning to South Bend)
We now have closure on three of the “Notre Dame 5.” It took months, but decisions regarding the future of the five Notre Dame football players who were suspended indefinitely from the team this summer over academic malfeasance have now been made public.
DB KeiVarae Russell won’t play this year, but plans to return to the program next year. WR DaVaris Daniels is done at Notre Dame, and does not plan to transfer at this point.
DL Ishaq Williams, like Russell, is done at ND in 2014, but will return in 2015. We’re still waiting on Safety Eliar Hardy and LB Kendall Moore. Back to the senior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels. Here’s what his father Phillip Daniels tweeted today.
“Finally after over 4 months my son got an answer! He is done at Notre Dame and will weigh his options for the future! #HeIsNDNoMore”
DaVaris Daniels followed this up by himself tweeting:
“Not looking to transfer. ND was my team. ND is where my heart was. Unfortunately my time here is done, ready for my future.”
Daniels entered the season as the only true weapon Notre Dame football had on offense, but the passing game has adjusted nicely. Quarterback Everett Golson has developed a new go-to-guy in wide receiver Will Fuller (more on that here)
DaVaris Daniels had been in trouble before all this. He has a previous citation for underage drinking on his record. We’ll see how all this affects his NFL Draft stock. As he’s a senior and says he’s not transferring, he’s either going to start focusing on working out for the scouting combine now. Or begin life after football. We’ll see.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2