Jan. 20--After a tumultuous career at Notre Dame marred by academic suspensions, receiver DaVaris Daniels will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.
Daniels' name surfaced on a list of 74 underclassmen granted eligibility for the draft on April 30-May 2.
Daniels, a Vernon Hills graduate, was suspended for the spring semester last season for poor academic performance then was one of five players suspended last season for their involvement in an academic cheating scandal at Notre Dame. Four of the five missed the entire season while safety Eilar Hardy returned to play in the final five games. Two players, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and defensive end Ishaq Williams, have said they will return after serving two-semester bans. That option appeared to be on the table for Daniels, but Daniels decided against it. Some mock drafts have him projected as a mid- to late-round pick.
He finishes his Notre Dame career with 80 receptions for 1,235 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Irish receiving corps adjusted fine without Daniels with sophomore Will Fuller emerging for 76 catches for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2014.
