Nine days after a group of approximately 20 males -- upwards of 15 who were identified as football players -- stormed into a Michigan State dorm and allegedly assaulted a group that included both males and females, the school has announced the suspensions of eight football players for their involvement, multiple media outlets are reporting.
Wide receivers B.J. Cunningham, Mark Dell and Fred Smith, running back Ashton Leggett, cornerback Chris L. Rucker, linebacker/safety Brynden Trawick, defensive tackle Ishmyl Johnson and defensive end Jamiihr Williams were the players suspended this evening by head coach Mark Dantonio for a violation of team rules.
The octet was “immediately suspended from all daily team-related activities” according to a press release.
Police have identified 10 suspects in thus far; the eight players who were suspended today, plus two players -- running back Glenn Winston and safety Roderick Jenrette -- who were dismissed from the football program shortly after the incident.
The “10 suspects were identified following interviews with victims, witnesses and a review of on-site video. The evidence regarding the actions of all suspects is still being collected” the release stated.
Police are actively looking to identify an additional five suspects, although it’s uncertain if any or all or some are MSU football players.
With six of the 10 players either suspended or booted from the program having started games this season, the Spartans’ depth for their bowl game would obviously take a fairly good-sized hit.
And that’s without even mentioning the hit being taken by the school in general and Dantonio’s football program specifically.