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Univ. Minnesota Short Three Players Right Now

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Univ. Minnesota Short Three Players Right Now

As of right now these guys are sitting in jail although they haven't been formally charged with anything. Doesn't seem like any of these guys were huge impact factors last season. One is a Jr. defensive end, sophomore CB and a soph RB.

Add this to the list of everything else the Gophers 1st year coach has to deal with.

Bail set for U players suspected in rape
Staff Report
Article Last Updated: 04/07/2007 03:54:14 PM CDT

Bail has been set at $100,000 for three University of Minnesota football players jailed on suspicion of rape charges, the Hennepin County Jail reported this afternoon.

As of this morning, the players had not been formally charged.

The players were arrested Friday on suspicion of raping an 18-year-old, University police said.

Meanwhile, U athletic officials tried not to let news of the arrests infiltrate this afternoon's annual spring scrimmage, in which several thousand alumni and fans turned out at the Metrodome.

Players were told by communications staff not to discuss the situation, which has resulted in suspensions for the three players. Reporters were told that if they raised the issue, interviews would be cut short.

First-year coach Tim Brewster, who suspended the players upon learned of the arrests, this afternoon declined to discuss the situation beyond his comments yesterday that he would cooperate with the police investigation.

Alex Daniels, 20, Keith Massey, 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, were taken into custody after an initial investigation, university officials said. They had not been formally charged as of Friday evening.

Daniels is a junior. Massey and Jones are sophomores.

The reported rape occurred sometime between 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to a police report, though it wasn't immediately clear where.

The woman was examined at a local hospital Wednesday morning. It was unclear what relationship

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she had with the players or whether she is a U student.
"After receiving a complaint early this morning, we began an aggressive investigation," university Police Chief Greg Hestness said in a statement Friday.

Once the investigation is complete, the case will be submitted to the Hennepin County attorney's office for consideration of charges, Hestness said.

University police refused to release further details about the case.

Brewster was told late Friday afternoon of the incident and immediately suspended the players until the investigation is complete.

"Obviously, this is disappointing news for any coach to receive," the first-year coach said in a statement. "There is an on-going investigation and we will cooperate fully with law enforcement on this matter."

When reached Friday evening, Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi said he knew little of the incident.

"It's in the hands of University of Minnesota police, as it should be, and we will support their investigation," Maturi said. "At the same time, we will support the young men that were recruited to Minnesota until we find out what the facts are."

Staff writers Dave Orrick, Marcus R. Fuller, Tad Vezner and Charley Walters

THE PLAYERS

A glance at the three University of Minnesota football players arrested in connection with the reported rape of an 18-year-old woman this week:

Alex Daniels, 20, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound junior, appeared to find a stable position in spring practice at defensive end this year. A highly rated athlete out of Brookhaven High School in Columbus, Ohio, he moved from linebacker to running back last season.

Keith Massey, 20, brother of Gophers junior cornerback Dominic Jones, played in nine games as a redshirt freshman last season and recorded 14 tackles and one forced fumble at defensive back. Massey, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound sophomore, was a teammate of Daniels at Brookhaven High School.

E.J. Jones, 19, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound sophomore from Edwardsville, Ill., earned Minnesota's starting running back job as a freshman in the first game against Kent State University last season. But Jones went on to rush for only 30 yards in five games last season while being bothered by a left ankle injury. He mostly played behind senior Amir Pinnix and sophomore Jay Thomas at tailbac.
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Univ. Minnesota Short Three Players Right Now

Add this to the recent UF issue as well with the O-Lineman firing off a semi automatic shotgun, while committing a felony...that guy was a BIG hit for thier line...
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Univ. Minnesota Short Three Players Right Now

The three players were released Monday at noon without charges being filed by the County Attorney based on the arrest report given to him by the University of Minnesota Police Department (who have handled the investigation and made the arrests). The County Attorney did not request that the three players be detained past the standard hold.

Charges could still be filed after additional interviews are done and test results are received. There were other parties present (female) who already have been interviewed. If no further action is taken by the County Attorney the three players are still subject to U of M student conduct codes and Athletics Department conduct standards if they are found to be in violation of same. If the allegations are found to have little or no merit, the players will most probably be reinstated.

To his credit, Ex-Coach Mason ran a very clean and tight program; over his 10 years a number of players were excused from the program for off-field transgressions, some of which were fairly minor especially when compared to disciplinary actions at schools in neighboring states. Unfortunately Coach Brewster may have to enforce the conduct code that he set for his program only three months into the job – from all indications Coach Brewster will not put up with BS in any form.

This is a no win situation for all involved no matter to what degree the allegations are eventually found to be true or false (as is usually the case in this situation). We can only hope that this situation is resolved quickly and correctly.
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