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Notre Dame football players KeiVarae Russell, DaVaris Daniels, Ishaq Williams and Kendall Moore are being held out of practice while the school investigates what it is calling "suspected academic dishonesty."
The school announced Friday it has notified the NCAA about the inquiry. Because of potential violations, the four players can't compete until the conclusion of the investigation and the university honor code process.
The Fighting Irish open the season against Rice on Aug. 30.
The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, said evidence students had submitted papers and homework that had been written for them by others was initially detected at the end of the summer session. The case was then referred to the compliance office on July 29.
Oklahoma star back charged in assault
Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon, the school's top recruit, was charged with misdemeanor assault Friday, accused of knocking a woman unconscious with a punch that also broke several bones in her face.
Mixon has not participated in team activities since July 25, when Norman police say the incident occurred at a local restaurant.
According to a probable cause affidavit released by the Cleveland County District Attorney's office, the alleged victim told police Mixon directed a homosexual slur at her friend and there was an argument. The affidavit said that according to surveillance video, the woman then pushed Mixon and Mixon lunged at her. The woman then slapped Mixon in the face, and he reacted by punching her in the face.