Notre Dame Football: Which Frozen Five Players Will Return in 2014?

Brian Kelly told reporters that the five suspended players’ would have their hearings by next week. DaVaris Daniels told ESPN.com writer Jeremy Fowler he believed all five players would have their hearings at different times on Thursday and Friday. Presumably, a resolution would not come prior to the Stanford game. The committee would need time to decide the punishments.

A decision between Stanford and North Carolina appears likely. Therefore, if cleared, the five players could return for a battle against North Carolina on October 11th. Which of the five Notre Dame football players will return for the matchup against the Tar Heels?

DaVaris Daniels – This is not the first time Daniels has been in hot water with the University. Daniels was suspended for the spring semester because his GPA fell below the required 2.0. Can Daniels survive another run in with the administration? Probably not. Daniels squeaking to the media might not help him either. Daniels should start preparing for the 2015 NFL Draft.

KeiVarae Russell – Russell thrived at Notre Dame on and off the field. Russell starred in a school play, was a leader for Notre Dame’s Defense and was placed front and center in the Strong and True Series. Russell’s history probably gives him the benefit of the doubt. Russell will join the Notre Dame secondary on October 11th.

Ishaq Williams – Williams failed to catch on in his first three years at Notre Dame. This season was supposed to be his break out. Performing off-the-field has been a transition for the Defensive End from Brooklyn, New York. Former high school teammate Wayne Williams told Syracuse.com, “It’s really up in the air. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know I’ll be the first one to hear when I get the information, so I’m just hoping for the best for him.” Williams has never been in the “doghouse” before. He will return against the Tar Heels.

Kendall Moore – Kendall Moore saw the field in a backup and Special Teams role in his first four years at Notre Dame. Moore returned for 5th year this season. The fact that Moore has already graduated from Notre Dame may hurt him. His degree may be in jeopardy because of this scandal. It seems like Moore will not return.

Eilar Hardy – Hardy began to make an impact at Notre Dame last season. His first two years were marred by injury. Hardy was thrown into the investigation later than the other four. Reading into the late addition, it would seem like the evidence of wrong doing may be less. Hardy will return to the Notre Dame football team on October 11th as well.

It is important to note that this is pure speculation. There is no solid indications of who will return or when.