Suspended for the entire 2014 season because of the findings rendered in an academic fraud investigation, KeiVarae Russell took to social media last October to vent his frustration over a school, Notre Dame, that he wrote “is becoming ridiculous.” Less than two weeks later, though, signs were pointing toward a return in 2015.
Seven months later? It appears he’s back.
While there’s been nothing official coming from Notre Dame -- that’s expected to come at some point next month according to a school official -- Russell took to the same social media website to announce a return to the Irish.
As explained by our buddy Keith Arnold over at Inside the Irish, Russell’s acceptance to re-enroll at the South Bend school has been imminent for a while. Still, Russell’s unofficially official confirmation portends good things for the Irish secondary as he’s a supremely talented football player.
Russell had started all 26 games during his two years in South Bend prior to his 2014 suspension. A freshman All-American in 2012, Russell finished fifth in tackles in 2013, tops among all defensive backs. His work in pass coverage is superb, as evidenced by the fact that he led all Irish players in passes broken up (eight) and passes defensed (nine) his true sophomore season.