Fighting Irish DE Ishaq Williams ruled ineligible for season by NCAA

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly says defensive end Ishaq Williams has been ruled ineligible for the season by the NCAA, ending his college playing career.

Williams was dismissed from Notre Dame last fall after being investigated for possible academic dishonesty. He had sought a waiver from the NCAA allowing him to play. Williams, who Kelly says remains on scholarship, had 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in 35 games.

Senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell also was dismissed from school along with Williams last season but has been cleared to play. Kelly said Thursday all he could say about why Russell was allowed to play while Williams wasn't was there were different circumstances.

Kelly announced defensive lineman Sheldon Day, defensive back Matthias Farley, linebackers Joe Schmidt and Jaylon Smith and center Nick Martin have been named captains.