Overturned suspensions should leave Fleck with options

First-year Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck knew he might have several roster issues after inheriting 10 player suspensions stemming from an alleged Sept. 2 sexual assault, under former coach Tracy Claeys.

But Friday, the Gophers learned four of those suspended players could soon return to the team. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., quarterback Seth Green, cornerback Antonio Shenault and running back Kobe McCrary had their recommended sanctions overturned by an appeals panel.

The University of Minnesota's office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action had recommended expulsion for Carlton Djam, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson, one-year suspensions from school for Green, Winfield, McCrary and Mark Williams, and probation for Shenault.

All 10 players had appeals hearings last week. The rulings came down Friday, as the panel upheld the recommended expulsions for Hardin, Buford, Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson, and reduced Djam's penalty to a one-year suspension. Williams had his one-year suspension upheld.

The university declined to comment, citing student privacy laws, but technically all 10 players will remain suspended from the team until their individual cases are closed. The players and the alleged victim have up to five days to appeal Friday's ruling to the university provost.

Still, relief has already set in for some players. Winfield's father, Antoine Sr., had said in December that his son likely would transfer. On Friday, the fomer Vikings star said his son will return to the Gophers.

"He loves the program, so he definitely wanted to stay," Antoine Winfield Sr. said.

Hardin was a starting cornerback. The Gophers already had to replace two other starting defensive backs — departing seniors Damarius Travis and Jalen Myrick. Without Winfield, Fleck would have had to replace all four starters.

"Obviously with some of the things going on, who knows how many defensive backs we'll have going into spring ball and next season?" Fleck said Wednesday, after signing three DBs in his first recruiting class.

Buford was a key reserve at cornerback, so potentially losing him and Hardin still would hurt the team's pass defense. But Shenault could have a chance to step in and start.

Green is another key player to watch, since the Gophers have to replace departing senior quarterback Mitch Leidner. After redshirting last fall, Green will have a chance to compete for the starting job this spring along with senior Conor Rhoda, redshirt sophomore Demry Croft and true freshman Tanner Morgan. It's shaping up to be a wide-open competition.