Texas A&M will be without one athletic playmaker when they open the new college football season next fall. Speedy Noil was suspended by Kevin Sumlin for last season’s Music City Bowl and it will carry over to the season opener this fall, Sumlin confirmed yesterday. The decision to suspend Noil for the season opener against UCLA was made months ago, but Sumlin says nothing has changed regarding his status for the first game of the season.
Video: Kevin Sumlin on 2-game suspension of Speedy Noil, including last year's bowl game and opener vs. UCLA: pic.twitter.com/o7WqsmiPlc
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) April 7, 2016
Noil was arrested earlier this month for driving without a valid driver’s license. Noil also missed playing time in 2015 for a suspension against Western Carolina. Noil has had a bumpy time in College Station that also included taking some time off to focus on some off-field concerns, and he had previously been charged for possession of marijuana in February 2014. Because of off-field issues resulting in suspensions and a diminished role in the offense, his production has also declined as a result while others have taken advantage of their opportunities (like Christian Kirk).
Video: More Kevin Sumlin on suspension of Speedy Noil for opener vs. UCLA: pic.twitter.com/4by4zM68y7
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) April 7, 2016
When Noil is on the field though, he can be dangerous for the Aggies on offense or special teams. But if he is going to have that kind of devastating impact, he clearly has to make sure he straightens up his act off the field so he can have the opportunity to earn Sumlin’s trust and get back to making things happen on Saturdays.