Jan. 24--Notre Dame safety Eilar Hardy, one of five players suspended in the Irish's academic fraud investigation, was granted his release and will reportedly transfer from the school.
Irish Illustrated reported Hardy will seek to transfer after graduating in May. Purdue, Connecticut, Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green are on Hardy's list of potential destinations. A school spokesperson confirmed Hardy was granted his release.
Hardy was the only one of the five suspended players to return to the field last season for the Irish after making his debut against Arizona State on Nov. 8.
Two of the players, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and defensive end Ishaq Williams plan to return next season. Receiver DaVaris Daniels left a year of eligibility on the table to enter the NFL draft while linebacker Kendall Moore, who was a fifth-year player, opted to leave the school.
Hardy, a native of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, did not play in his freshman or sophomore seasons but played in 10 games his junior year. He made a career-high eight tackles in a game against BYU.
