Kelly says no clarity on four players in Notre Dame academic fraud investigation

SOUTH BEND -- Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday that he has spoken to the four players who are at the center of the school's academic fraud investigation, and said there is no clarity on if or when the four will be able to return to practice.

Kelly spoke Tuesday at the school's annual Media Day at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. Four players -- cornerback KeiVarae Russell, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, defensive end Ishaq Williams and linebacker Kendall Moore -- are unable to practice or play in games while the investigation is ongoing. The four remain on scholarship.

Russell, Daniels and Williams were projected as starters but have not practiced since the investigation was announced on Friday. Moore was slated as a reserve linebacker.

Kelly said the four are allowed to eat with the team but are not being included in meetings.

"For me while this is an ongoing investigation, I don't have a problem with them being around the team," Kelly said. "It's a very limited exposure situation."

Kelly was asked about how the investigation could play into recruiting.

"I say this in recruiting, it's harder at Notre Dame," Kelly said. "If it was easy it wouldn't be special. There are no shortcuts and our guys know it."