Notre Dame Academic Investigation Complete: DaVaris Daniels Confirms He is Leaving South Bend
ByDaVaris Daniels learned his fate in the University of Notre Dame's (UND) academic fraud investigation and has chosen not to remain at the school.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the wide receiver and his father both confirmed via Twitter that Daniels' football career with the Fighting Irish is over. Daniels is now going to "weigh his options," but neither disclosed any possible scenarios.
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
— Phillip Daniels (@PhillipDaniels) October 14, 2014
Good luck to the rest of the players at ND and we wish you much success. Thanks to the fans for your support and the parents for their love! — Phillip Daniels (@PhillipDaniels) October 14, 2014
Thanks to everyone who supported, I appreciate it and now it's time to strap up for bigger things!
— Toot Daddy Fresh™ (@DaVarisDaniels) October 14, 2014
Not looking to transfer. ND was my team. ND is where my heart was. Unfortunately my time here is done, ready for my future. — Toot Daddy Fresh™ (@DaVarisDaniels) October 14, 2014
Daniels was one of five UND football players investigated for alleged academic fraud and he was likely suspended for the rest of the season. He may also have been dismissed from the school like quarterback Everett Golson was last season.
Faced with the option of leaving UND, Golson stayed out of school for his suspension and sought reinstatement for this academic year. The Tribune confirmed Daniels' teammates - defensive end Ishaq Williams and cornerback KeiVarae Russell - were suspended for the rest of the football season, but will try and return to the team in 2015.
Both Daniels and his father expressed relief that the university probe was finally resolved in their tweets Tuesday. Russell expressed a similar sentiment last week in a post on Instagram, since the school would not tell the players of their fate until all five hearings were complete.
According to ESPN, the status of Kendall Moore and Eliar Hardy is still not known, as UND did not release the results of their investigation. All five players have been suspended all year, so coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Jack Swarbrick have not spoken about what they will need to do next.
The undefeated Fighting Irish do not appear in danger of the NCAA vacating any wins from this season. Kelly confirmed in his news conference Tuesday that Williams said he wanted to come back next year, but also said he did not see the tweets from Daniels.
The fifth-ranked Irish are traveling to Tallahassee, Fla. this Saturday to play second-ranked Florida State.
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