What Would DaVaris Daniels' Potential Return Do to the 2015 Notre Dame Irish?

After taking to Instagram to announce he would be returning to Notre Dame in 2015 after a two-semester suspension, cornerback KeiVarae Russell continued his news-breaking ways on the photo-sharing platform. And if Russell is to believed, Irish fans could get some more good news out of an ugly academic situation.

According to Russell, senior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels is prepping for a comeback to Notre Dame in 2015. That flies in the face of initial reports—and a statement from Daniels—that the talented wide receiver would be moving on. 

Here's a portion of Russell's Instagram message, which has since been taken down:

"

Im sure my followers and the country will be pleased to hear that [DaVaris] is now likely to return to Notre Dame with me next year despite what media says!! Watch how we take this negative and turn it into somethin special and memorable! Both gonna make people wish we didn't have this much time to work!

"

The Irish's leading returning receiver entering 2014, Daniels was expected to be the team's No. 1 pass-catcher this season but never took the field after a summer school academic incident led to the suspension of Daniels, Russell and teammates Eilar Hardy, Kendall Moore and Ishaq Williams. Daniels had already sat out the spring semester after his GPA slipped below a 2.0, so many expected this second run-in with the university to spell the end of his up-and-down ride in South Bend.   

But if Russell's comments are to be believed, instead of preparing for a future in the NFL, where Daniels still hoped to be drafted in the later rounds, the Chicagoland native could add another weapon to an already-stocked wide receiver depth chart. 

Without Daniels, the Irish passing game has still taken a large step forward, with Everett Golson's return and the emergence of Will Fuller and Corey Robinson setting the tone. With no receiver on the depth chart graduating, next year's receiving corps already looked like a strength of the team even without Daniels. 

It's far too early to go down this rabbit hole. Last we heard from Brian Kelly, he had yet to even talk with Daniels, not about his suspension, nor any alleged return. Davaris' father, former Redskin Phillip Daniels, seemed to pump the brakes on any return talk as well. And all of this presupposes that Daniels will be accepted for re-admittance by the university, no sure thing when you consider his academic record. 

But if Daniels does return, the Irish would have a depth chart that'd be the envy of college football. With rising stars like Fuller and Robinson, Daniels would join a two-deep at outside receiver that also includes Chris Brown. After a slow start, Brown has 17 catches over the last four games, tapping into the potential that Kelly raved about this spring. 

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Add to that group productive slot receivers Amir Carlisle and C.J. Prosise and promising youngster Torii Hunter Jr. Unless Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock want to go five wide every snap, finding enough footballs to keep everyone happy could be difficult. 

Freshmen Justin Brent and Corey Holmes have yet to see an opportunity to show what they can do. And a trio of recruits—Miles Boykin, Jalen Guyton and C.J. Sanders—all expect to compete for playing time next year, something that looks harder by the day as Kelly continues to stockpile weapons. (Notre Dame's coaches hope blue-chipper Equanimeous St. Brown joins them in this recruiting class.)

Ultimately, Daniels' return could come down to a decision for Kelly and his coaching staff. They've already opened the door to Ishaq Williams' return, a fifth-year candidate who was expected to start at defensive end this year. As the Irish continue to recruit a handful of remaining elite targets, Notre Dame could push up against an 85-man scholarship limit that has rarely been scared, making the choice Daniels for one season or a recruit for at least four. 

The relationship between head coach and player is a critical one in this process. Kelly had Daniels' back during his spring suspension. But struggling to make grades is different than suspected academic dishonesty, and how Kelly views Daniels' role in the current mishap will likely prove important. 

There's never been a question about Daniels' talent. But he's yet to put it all together on the football field. A highly touted player out of high school, Daniels patiently redshirted his freshman year, watching Michael Floyd dominate on his way to being taken in the first round of the NFL draft. That was supposed to be what 2014 was about for Daniels, before another off-field mistake cost him the season.

We'll find out soon enough whether the ship has sailed or if Daniels becomes the latest—and most unlikely—addition to a 2015 roster that could be stacked.