Ishaq Williams loses NCAA appeal, won't play for Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Defensive end Ishaq Williams lost his NCAA appeal and will not play for Notre Dame in 2015, coach Brian Kelly said Thursday.

Williams was one of five players suspended last August as part of Notre Dame's investigation into academic dishonesty and along with Kendall Moore, DaVaris Daniels and KeiVarae Russell did not return to play last season. Whereas Russell took classes through the University of Washington during his suspension, Williams did not, so his appeal was always a longshot. Russell began practicing with Notre Dame before the NCAA officially cleared him, while Williams did not.

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Williams will continue to attend Notre Dame and work toward earning his degree, Kelly said. He won't be allowed to practice with the team, but he will have a locker and be allowed to work out at the team's facilities if he hopes to pursue a career in the NFL after he graduates.

"The silver lining here is he is in school and we’re very optimistic that he’ll be able to finish his degree here in the short term," Kelly said.

Williams came to Notre Dame as a five-star recruit and played 35 games (one start), recording 45 tackles, six tackles for a loss and one sack. 

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