KeiVarae Russell Cleared by NCAA in Cheating Scandal: Latest Details, Reaction

Notre Dame's defense has officially gotten a big boost with the return of cornerback KeiVarae Russell less than three weeks before the 2015 season begins.   

Per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said during a press conference Tuesday the NCAA has fully cleared Russell following last year's academic fraud investigation. 

This is good news for Notre Dame, though Russell did post on Instagram in May he was "back" with the team:

In August 2014, per Dan Wolken of USA Today, Russell was one of four Notre Dame players removed from the football team as the school looked into allegations of "academic dishonesty."

Two months later, Keith Arnold of NBC Sports reported the star defensive back would return to school in 2015 after sitting out last season.  

The timing for Russell being cleared couldn't have been better for Notre Dame, which lost defensive lineman Jarron Jones for the season to a knee injury. 

Russell came into his own in 2013, playing in 13 games and setting a career high with 40 solo tackles and eight passes defended. The Fighting Irish have high expectations this season, starting the year ranked 11th in the Amway Coaches Poll. 

There may be some initial rust for Russell to work off when games begin on September 5, but Kelly and the Notre Dame coaching staff can rest easier knowing their best defensive back can focus on the future instead of having to worry about the past.