Oen of Wisconsin’s top offensive players may miss some playing time when the new college football season begins next week in Madison. Wide receiver Quintez Cephus has been suspended by the football program for a violation of the university’s student-athlete discipline policy.
“Cephus is suspended from competition and practice pending the availability of further information relating to this case,” a statement from Wisconsin read Monday afternoon. The exact nature of the violation being reviewed was not disclosed. This also does not confirm Cephus will be forced to miss any actual playing time, as it leaves the door open for possible reinstatement prior to the start of the new season for Wisconsin next week. A confirmed status for Cephus may come at a later time for Wisconsin’s first game.
On Saturday, Cephus announced on Twitter he was taking a leave of absence to deal with a pending legal issue. Cephus states he was wrongfully accused of unlawful conduct from an incident that occurred in April.
Cephus is Wisconsin’s top receiver returning this season after catching 30 passes for 51 yards and a team-high six touchdowns last year in just nine games.
Wisconsin opens the new season on Friday, August 31 at home against Western Kentucky.
UPDATE: According to a report from Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com, Cephus has been charged with felony sexual assault of an intoxicated victim and felony assault. Cephus is accused of assaulting two different women. He will appear in court on Thursday.