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On Friday afternoon Keith Arnold from the Inside the Irish blog reported some important news concerning junior Irish cornerback Keivarae Russell.
Inside the Irish Story (HERE).
While the fate of Notre Dame's five suspended players has yet to be confirmed by anyone officially involved with the investigation, cornerback KeiVarae Russell will not play in 2014.
The preseason All-American candidate has received news from Notre Dame's Honor Committee and addressed his teammates with the news on Thursday, two different sources confirmed.
Russell plans on returning to South Bend and the Irish football team. There has been speculation that the third-year cornerback was considering a jump to the NFL after the season, though that move isn't happening now according to sources.
The report from Arnold does not comment on the fate of the four other suspended football players but does point out that Irish Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune have both reported that it is unlikely any of the players return for 2014.
BREAKING: KeiVarae Russell out for year, plans to return in 2015: http://t.co/5Y0UtSrdmM pic.twitter.com/7iDwspAXQW
— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) October 10, 2014
This is sad news for Russell who was emerging as one of the country's top corners and on his way to an upperclassman leader of the defense and entire football team. However, as it had been surmised by many Irish fans it makes sense for Russell to return to Notre Dame if he was allowed to do so following whatever academic suspension befalls him after receiving his punishment.
At this point it is likely that Russell returns to the football program and classroom for the 2015 summer semester. Since he played as a true freshman he'll have 2 years of eligibility remaining at that point and would be eligible for a fifth-year in 2016.
As others have posted, #NotreDame CB KeiVarae Russell spoke via Instagram tonight. Full text in the photo. pic.twitter.com/PSBpAEToze
— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) October 10, 2014
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