What is it with college football players and BB guns? Whatever it is, it will cost seven North Carolina State football players some playing time against Louisville. NC State has suspended seven players for their involvement to a BB gun incident. Among those suspended from the team against Louisville are three starters: linebacker Jerod Fernandez, safety Josh Jones and wide receiver Johnathan Alston.
Fernandez is NC State’s leading tackler with 58 tackles this season, an average of 8.29 tackles per game. Fernandez also leads the team with two interceptions. Jones is fourth on the team in tackles, with 38 total tackles. Jones also has one interception this season. Alston is sixth on the team in receiving yards this season with 14 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Four other players reportedly suspended by the team are back-up or reserve players. Wide receiver Jumichael Ramos, defensive end Pharoah McKever, defensive back Mike Stevens and defensive tackle Justin Jones are also serving suspensions. Ramos and McKever are back-up players on NC State’s two-deep depth chart, while Stevens and Jones do not appear on the depth chart.
All seven players were involved in a BB gun incident at an off-campus residence last week. NC State travels to Louisville on Saturday for an ACC Atlantic Division game.