LSU suspends QB Jennings, 3 other players following arrests

LSU suspends QB Jennings, 3 other players following arrests

Published Jun. 18, 2015 11:12 p.m. ET

 

LSU coach Les Miles has suspended quarterback Anthony Jennings and three other players indefinitely following their arrests on Thursday.

LSU police have booked Jennings, defensive back Dwayne Thomas and defensive tackle Maquedius Bain with unauthorized entry of a residence.

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Defensive lineman Trey Lealaimatafao has been booked by Baton Rouge Police with simple battery and attempted simple robbery. Police Cpl. Don Coppola said multiple witnesses told investigators that Lealaimatafao dug through the pockets of a man knocked unconscious outside a bar early Tuesday morning, and then punched the man's girlfriend when she tried to intervene.

He turned himself in on Thursday, accompanied by an attorney. He declined to make a statement about the case and remained in jail Thursday night on $15,000 bond, authorities said.

In late May, LSU reserve offensive lineman Jevonte Domond was arrested and booked with felony domestic abuse, accused of assaulting his fiancee in the presence of their infant child. He, too, remains suspended indefinitely.

Lealaimatafao has yet to play a down for LSU. He missed what would have been his freshman season in 2014 because he hurt himself when he punched through glass in the Tigers' weight room.

LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette said Jennings had been burglarized recently. But Bonnette stopped short of saying whether the quarterback and his two teammates were trying to retrieve stolen items, citing the ongoing police investigation into the matter.

In a statement released by the university, Miles said he's working with campus housing and police to determine "what exactly took place" with Jennings, Thomas and Bain, who were all released on bond Thursday night. Bond was set at $5,000 each for Jennings and Bain, and $10,000 for Thomas.

"It has been our policy to suspend players who have been involved with legal issues. I have met with all three players involved extensively," Miles said. "This is an ongoing investigation and our players will cooperate fully."

Jennings, who'll be a junior next season, was LSU's starter for most of last season, completing 49 percent of his passes for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, it was unclear through this past spring practices whether Jennings was the front-runner to remain the starter. Miles has said he would wait until after August camp has begun to decide whether Jennings or sophomore Brandon Harris takes over as first-team quarterback, and the coach has not indicate whether he considers either a front-runner.

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