Jan. 10--Notre Dame will retain one of its best defensive players in 2015.
Defensive lineman Sheldon Day will not enter the NFL draft and stay at the school for his senior season, Notre Dame announced Saturday.
"After talking with my family, friends and coaches at Notre Dame, I've decided to return for my senior year with the Irish," Day said in a statement. "While the process leading up to this decision was difficult, ultimately my decision to return was easy. I love this school, my teammates and this coaching staff. I just felt it was in my best interest to play another year for Notre Dame.
Day, who was also a captain, made 40 tackles in 2014, 7.5 for a loss. He missed the final two games of the regular seasons because of a sprained MCL but returned for Notre Dame's Music City Bowl victory over LSU.
"It pretty much goes without saying that I'm excited to know that Sheldon has chosen to return for his senior year at Notre Dame ..." coach Brian Kelly said. "He's an outstanding player, and makes a major difference on the field for our team."
Day is one several returning pieces in 2015 for Notre Dame's defense. The Irish lose just one regular starter, cornerback Cody Riggs, to graduation.
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is projected as a potential first-round pick in some mock drafts, has yet to decide if he will return to Notre Dame.
