Alabama issues statement on Jonathan Taylor signing

The re-signing of D.J. Pettway, the object of Nick Saban‘s impassioned second-chance speech last month, led Alabama to take the unusual step of the athletic director releasing a statement addressing the development.

A little over a year later, a similarly controversial signing has arisen.

Wednesday, Alabama confirmed that Jonathan Taylor was one of eight mid-year enrollees at the university. The defensive tackle’s new collegiate landing spot comes a few months after a pair of incidents, including one allegedly involving domestic violence, led to his dismissal by Georgia.

Shortly after his signing was confirmed, the university released the following statement.

Jonathan Taylor was admitted to The University of Alabama following the same procedures that the UA Admissions office uses to evaluate any student who has dealt with legal issues. The admissions process includes representatives from academic, legal, student affairs, student conduct, UAPD and counseling. Athletics is not involved in the admissions process. Taylor’s continued enrollment depends on his ability to fulfill all requirements the University has specifically mandated for him during his time as a UA student.

Taylor is expected to participate in spring practice, and will be eligible to play immediately in 2015.