Two of Coach Lane Kiffin's signees from his first recruiting class, were among three Tennessee football players arrested early Thursday morning in Knoxville on charges of attempted armed robbery. The third player arrested was also a freshman, defensive back Mike Edwards. It was not immediately clear if the players have attorneys. According to a Knoxville City Police report, the arrests stemmed from an attempted robbery outside a convenience store near campus. A powered pellet gun was recovered in the players' car after they were stopped by police near the Gibbs Hall dormitory on campus, where the Vols' freshman football players live.
At least one of the players arrested was wearing some type of Tennessee gear during the attempted robbery, according to police. A fourth suspect, a woman alleged to have been driving a car with the three players as passengers, was also arrested.
At least one of the players arrested was wearing some type of Tennessee gear during the attempted robbery, according to police. A fourth suspect, a woman alleged to have been driving a car with the three players as passengers, was also arrested.
"At this time we are currently evaluating the circumstances surrounding an incident involving Mike Edwards, Janzen Jackson and Nu'Keese Richardson," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said in a prepared statement. "Any decisions or comments regarding their status will not be made until the evaluations are complete."
"As of this afternoon his bond has been reduced from $15,000 to being released on his recognizance," Bosch told WBIR-TV in Knoxville. "Mr. Jackson vehemently asserts his innocence. And we hope that this will become apparent in the next 24 to 48 hours."
Richardson was being held Thursday afternoon on a $19,500 bond. Edwards was released on a $19,500 bond.
Kiffin declined to comment specifically about the players' status for Saturday's game at Ole Miss.
As recently as Wednesday, during the SEC coaches teleconference, Kiffin had praised his team for not having any off-the-field problems during his tenure and had repeated several times this year that the Vols had been free of any such incidents.
Jackson had started in all but two games this season for the Vols and had emerged as one of the better freshman players in the SEC. He was suspended for last week's Memphis game for what Kiffin said was a violation of team rules. According to two sources, that suspension came on the heels of a failed drug test.
"As of this afternoon his bond has been reduced from $15,000 to being released on his recognizance," Bosch told WBIR-TV in Knoxville. "Mr. Jackson vehemently asserts his innocence. And we hope that this will become apparent in the next 24 to 48 hours."
Richardson was being held Thursday afternoon on a $19,500 bond. Edwards was released on a $19,500 bond.
Kiffin declined to comment specifically about the players' status for Saturday's game at Ole Miss.
As recently as Wednesday, during the SEC coaches teleconference, Kiffin had praised his team for not having any off-the-field problems during his tenure and had repeated several times this year that the Vols had been free of any such incidents.
Jackson had started in all but two games this season for the Vols and had emerged as one of the better freshman players in the SEC. He was suspended for last week's Memphis game for what Kiffin said was a violation of team rules. According to two sources, that suspension came on the heels of a failed drug test.
It is ridiculous what these players did. Tennessee gives these players a free education and an experience of a lifetime playing Division 1 football but apparently that isn't enough for them. I will never condone robbery but there is absolutely no reason for these players to do this. I'm glad Kiffin has dismissed two of the players already and I hope no other school gives these kids another chance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100 percent, these players are in the national spot, get their educationm, playing a sport but that is not good enough. These players need to get their heads checked to see if something is wrong, because to do something that dumb is ridiculous. I hope no other school lets them play for the school, college because if they are then they think it would be ok to od somehthing worng and would probably do it again because i am sure they have not learned from this
ReplyDeleteJust like that, three college football players destroy their future. Richardson was probably a lock for the NFL, and the other two had great shots as well. Now they are kicked out of college. There is no excuse for this kind of stupidity. They had what was coming to them.
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