Notre Dame players entering NFL draft

On Sunday, Wide Receiver Will Fuller released a statement that he would not be returning to Notre Dame for his senior year. Instead, he plans to enter the NFL draft. On Monday, cornerback KeiVarae Russell told Sports Illustrated he is declaring for the 2016 NFL draft as well.

Fuller posted the notice on his Twitter account:

First, I would like to start off by thanking my coaches, family, teammates, friends and fans that have supported me throughout my football career.

The University of Notre Dame is not just a learning institution. It has afforded me an incomparable life experience, and for this, I will forever be grateful. Playing with Team #127 is an experience I will always celebrate and I have made brothers for life.

My heart truly wanted to return to Notre Dame, but it has also been a lifelong dream to play football in the NFL. After taking all of this into lengthy consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to forgo my senior season and enter the 2016 draft.

I came to Notre Dame to earn a degree from the greatest University in the world, and I will still accomplish that goal.

Again, thank you for all the support and I hope you continue on this journey with me.