Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly on Tommy Rees, Carlo Calabrese Suspensions

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly released a statement on quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese Tuesday afternoon. The two are suspended for the Irish’s season opening expedition to Ireland to play Navy. South Bend Police arrested Rees and Calabrese in May, but were cleared to workout with the team late in June.

Per UND director of football media relations Brian Hardin on Twitter:

The quarterback controversy that has lingered over Notre Dame through seemingly the entire Kelly era, and picked up steam after the Irish’s spring game, takes an interesting turn. A turn, but not a conclusion anyway.

Everett Golson’s outstanding performance to culminate the spring turned heads, including that of 1988 Irish quarterback Tony Rice.

Golson brings a dual skill set that fits Kelly’s system, but has yet to exhibit it in game situations. Andrew Hendrix has applicable game experience that could interject him into the starting conversation. His passing in five appearances was shaky — he was intercepted twice and completed fewer than half his attempts — but his rushing was outstanding. Hendrix gained 162 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown.

And as if the situation needed further muddling, ballyhooed true freshman Gunner Kiel waits in the wings. Kiel’s 23rd hour commitment to the Irish gave Kelly the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect and a Pro Set playmaker with a sky-high ceiling. However, Kelly’s sparing use of Kiel in the spring game would suggest he will not factor into the decision come Week 1.