| Jacksonville player reinstated after teammate admits drug setup |
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| Written by Admin |
| Wednesday, 03 October 2007 17:55 |
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -Jacksonville University running back Rudell Small was reinstated Wednesday, one day after teammate Cecil Coltrane admitted planting more than 20 grams of marijuana in Small's dorm room. Small, a freshman, was arrested last Thursday after sheriff's deputies acted on a tip and discovered the illegal substance in his room. He was suspended from school and did not play in last Saturday's game against Davidson. Small maintained his innocence while school officials and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office investigated. On Tuesday, they questioned Coltrane, a junior running back who had been competing with Small for playing time. Coltrane told authorities he planted the marijuana in Small's room, Jacksonville athletic director Alan Verlander said. Verlander said Coltrane was suspended from school and dismissed from the team. Coltrane started Jacksonville's first two games while Small was recovering from an ankle injury. In the third game against UNC-Pembroke, Small ran for 112 yards and tied a school record with five touchdowns. Coltrane gained 40 yards. Five days later, Small was arrested. ``I'm glad to be back out here. It's a relief,'' Small said Wednesday in a statement. ``It's great to be out here and have all of that stuff behind me.'' However, Small has not been cleared of the charges, said Chief Assistant State's Attorney Jay Plotkin. ``If everything checks out, and the belief is that this kid is telling the truth, then the charges against Small will be dropped,'' Plotkin said. Coltrane has not yet been arrested or charged with a crime. |
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