Ole Miss TE signee an academic casualty

By John TaylorJun 25, 2013, 6:56 AM EDT

When Ole Miss opens its second summer camp under Hugh Freeze month after next, the Rebels won’t have one freshman who could’ve made an immediate impact on the offensive side of the ball.

According to Hugh Kellenberger of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, tight end A.J. Jackson is not academically eligible to enroll at the school and will not play for the Rebels, at least in 2013. What the specific issue or issues that left Jackson short of qualifying academically was not divulged.

It’s also unclear what Jackson’s next step will be, although junior college is certainly an option.

Jackson was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 22 tight end in the country. 247Sports.com had Jackson rated No. 18 at his position.

The Jackson news is the latest hit for a position lacking in both depth and experience. Fellow 2013 signee, early enrollee Christian Morgan, suffered a knee injury during spring practice and may not be available for the 2013 season. No player currently listed at the tight end position on the Rebels’ depth chart has a caught a pass at the collegiate level. A former fullback (Justin Bigham) is listed as the backup to a starter (Jack Nuismer) with zero catches and who was a walk-on before receiving a scholarship prior to the start of the 2012 season.

Utah State player upgraded to fair condition after collapse

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:50 AM EDT

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Utah State redshirt freshman wide receiver Josh Davis is in fair condition on Friday, one day after collapsing at spring football practice following sudden cardiac arrest, the university announced.

Davis, initially was listed in critical condition, was breathing on his own. He is in the intensive-care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.

Davis’ parents arrived in Utah on Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Davis, who is from Carlsbad, California, collapsed at Merlin Olsen Field and was immediately treated by the training staff, the university said. He was taken to Logan Regional Hospital.

The university said Davis was stabilized in the Logan hospital before being moved to Ogden.

Alabama suspends freshman defensive back after drug arrest

Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:32 PM EDT

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell has been suspended from the team following his arrest on a drug charge.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday after the first practice of spring that Mitchell was suspended from the team “and all team activities until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mitchell and another man, Christophere Lewis, last week on a charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Lewis also was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You’ve gotta be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around and what you do, who you associate yourself with and the situations that you put yourself in. It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

Mitchell, who is from Alabaster, Alabama, was a five-star prospect rated the 34th-best player and No. 3 safety in the 247Composite rankings.

Mitchell was driving the vehicle during a traffic stop. After deputies smelled marijuana, Mitchell picked up a baggie of marijuana from the passenger floorboard, according to the department’s Facebook post.

Sheriff’s deputies found “an additional significant amount of marijuana, a set of scales, a loaded handgun between the passenger seat and center console, and a large amount of cash,” according to the department’s Facebook post.