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BRIDGMAN -- Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees is attending summer school classes, working out with his Irish football teammates and basking in relative normalcy.
For now.
The junior's May 3 arrest and subsequent four misdemeanor charges haven't gone away, but they haven't kept him from doing everything necessary to keep himself in the four-man quarterback competition, either.
That doesn't mean there won't be football-related ramifications down the line.
On the legal side, the 20-year-old Lake Forest, Ill., product has a status hearing in St. Joseph County court July 17 to address two counts of resisting arrest and one count each of underage drinking and battery.
Senior Carlo Calabrese, competing for a starting linebacker spot, was arrested in connection with the same off-campus party. He was charged with one count of misdemeanor intimidation for allegedly threatening a South Bend police officer. His next hearing is set for Aug. 20.
Kelly said he is still dealing with the football side of things as it pertains to both players.
"They are cleared to stay in school. They've been cleared from me to participate in all workouts," Kelly said Monday at the Irish Legends Charity Golf, Dinner and Auction Classic at Lost Dunes Golf Club.
"When all of these things come together, we're not going to wait a long time. We're going to try to get this thing to the point where we know exactly where they are. We want to move and get all of this done."
Star receiver Michael Floyd, the last Irish standout football player to find the media spotlight for off-the-field issues, was suspended from all football-related activity indefinitely by Kelly last March after being arrested for drunk driving. It was Floyd's third alcohol-related offense during his time at ND.
Kelly eventually allowed Floyd to attend summer school and work out with his teammates, provided he meet certain conditions. He also implemented a zero-tolerance policy during that time. Kelly lifted those conditions just before the Irish began fall training camp last August.
"It's never a one-size-fits-all situation," Kelly said. "This is over 20 years of me being a head coach and having to look at each individual and what the sanctions are.
"We've gotten all of the reports. I've gotten a chance to meet with both of them, and we'll get this thing rolling."
The arrests occurred after South Bend police were called to quiet a loud party at a home just south of the Notre Dame campus. When they arrived, police reportedly found open containers of beer and other alcohol beverages in the backyard.
Officers reported that several people began jumping over a fence when they arrived and ordered them to stop, said Capt. Phil Trent, South Bend police spokesman. Rees was the only one of that group who ran from the scene, Trent said. The Irish QB later allegedly kneed an officer in the abdomen.
Rees has started 16 of the past 17 ND football games, dating back to late in the 2010 season when he took over for an injured Dayne Crist. Kelly opened up the QB position this spring, with Rees, Andrew Hendrix, sophomore Everett Golson and early-enrolled freshman Gunner Kiel all still vying for the top spot on the depth chart.
More personnel matters
-- Kelly conceded there were lingering concerns after backup tight end Troy Niklas suffered a concussion during Notre Dame's spring practice sessions and missed the April 21 Blue-Gold Game because of it.
But the coach pushed away rumors that Niklas' sophomore season could be in jeopardy because of it.
For now.
The junior's May 3 arrest and subsequent four misdemeanor charges haven't gone away, but they haven't kept him from doing everything necessary to keep himself in the four-man quarterback competition, either.
That doesn't mean there won't be football-related ramifications down the line.
On the legal side, the 20-year-old Lake Forest, Ill., product has a status hearing in St. Joseph County court July 17 to address two counts of resisting arrest and one count each of underage drinking and battery.
Senior Carlo Calabrese, competing for a starting linebacker spot, was arrested in connection with the same off-campus party. He was charged with one count of misdemeanor intimidation for allegedly threatening a South Bend police officer. His next hearing is set for Aug. 20.
Kelly said he is still dealing with the football side of things as it pertains to both players.
"They are cleared to stay in school. They've been cleared from me to participate in all workouts," Kelly said Monday at the Irish Legends Charity Golf, Dinner and Auction Classic at Lost Dunes Golf Club.
"When all of these things come together, we're not going to wait a long time. We're going to try to get this thing to the point where we know exactly where they are. We want to move and get all of this done."
Star receiver Michael Floyd, the last Irish standout football player to find the media spotlight for off-the-field issues, was suspended from all football-related activity indefinitely by Kelly last March after being arrested for drunk driving. It was Floyd's third alcohol-related offense during his time at ND.
Kelly eventually allowed Floyd to attend summer school and work out with his teammates, provided he meet certain conditions. He also implemented a zero-tolerance policy during that time. Kelly lifted those conditions just before the Irish began fall training camp last August.
"It's never a one-size-fits-all situation," Kelly said. "This is over 20 years of me being a head coach and having to look at each individual and what the sanctions are.
"We've gotten all of the reports. I've gotten a chance to meet with both of them, and we'll get this thing rolling."
The arrests occurred after South Bend police were called to quiet a loud party at a home just south of the Notre Dame campus. When they arrived, police reportedly found open containers of beer and other alcohol beverages in the backyard.
Officers reported that several people began jumping over a fence when they arrived and ordered them to stop, said Capt. Phil Trent, South Bend police spokesman. Rees was the only one of that group who ran from the scene, Trent said. The Irish QB later allegedly kneed an officer in the abdomen.
Rees has started 16 of the past 17 ND football games, dating back to late in the 2010 season when he took over for an injured Dayne Crist. Kelly opened up the QB position this spring, with Rees, Andrew Hendrix, sophomore Everett Golson and early-enrolled freshman Gunner Kiel all still vying for the top spot on the depth chart.
More personnel matters
-- Kelly conceded there were lingering concerns after backup tight end Troy Niklas suffered a concussion during Notre Dame's spring practice sessions and missed the April 21 Blue-Gold Game because of it.
But the coach pushed away rumors that Niklas' sophomore season could be in jeopardy because of it.
