Suspended shortly after the conclusion of spring practice and following an alcohol-fueled “burglary”, linebacker Kiko Alonso has been reinstated to the Oregon football program, head coach Chip Kelly announced in a press release Friday.
Alonso was arrested May 1 and charged with felony burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. The charges stemmed from a non-sober Alonso pounding on the door at a woman’s residence very early in the morning. After the woman had called 911 and left the residence, Alonso broke down the door. Police, who said their was no relationship between the woman and Alonso, arrived to find the Ducks player inside the residence.
Less than a week after his arrest, Alonso pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal trespass in exchange for the felony charge being dropped. He was sentenced to two years of probation, 200 hours of community and intensive alcohol treatment.
That May incident was Alonso’s second alcohol-related scrape with the law in a little over a year. In February of 2010, he was arrested on a drunk-driving charge and was suspended for the entire season.
Coming out of spring practice this year and prior to his second arrest, Alonso was a projected starter. It’s unclear what role, at least initially, he will have on the Ducks’ defense.
Regardless of the extent of the role, he will be available for this weekend’s game against Nevada.