SOUTH BEND, Ind. — While Notre Dame’s four active players who were arrested in Fulton County, Ind. earlier this month still have to go through the university’s Office of Community Standards, all signs are pointing to linebacker Te’von Coney, running back Dexter Williams, cornerback Ashton White and receiver Kevin Stepherson being available against Texas.
Those four players were all formally charged with possession of marijuana in Fulton County on Monday, and Coney and Stepherson appeared in court and entered not guilty pleas on Tuesday. Safety Max Redfield, who was dismissed from the program two days after his arrest, was formally charged with possession of a handgun without a license and possession of marijuana, and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
When asked why Redfield’s punishment was different than the other four Irish players in the car, Kelly confirmed that it was because of the handgun allegedly in his possession.
“That changed the whole situation, and that's what caused the dismissal,” Kelly said. “And as an upperclassman not really living up to the standards that I set. The other four guys, we're talking about possession of marijuana and me dealing with that situation. It was the handgun that was the game changer.”
Senior cornerback Devin Butler, who was charged with resisting arrest and battery to a police officer last week, remains indefinitely suspended, Kelly said.
Coney, Williams, White and Stepherson still will have hearings in front of Notre Dame’s Office of Community Standards, which received reports on each today and will likely begin their review process shortly, Kelly said. It seems unlikely any of them would receive discipline from the university that would affect their status to play in the Texas game and beyond given all four were first-time offenders and only charged with possession of marijuana.
Kelly said he didn’t consider suspending those four players given he never has gone that route for a first-time marijuana possession or use offense. All four will be subject to random drug testing in the future.
“I think all drug testing programs need to be educational first,” Kelly said. “And if you find as though that that is not changing somebody through counseling and education, then I believe there needs to be a punitive component.”
So for now, Notre Dame will commence practice for Texas expecting Coney, Williams, White and Stepherson to play. Coney is listed on Notre Dame’s depth chart as its No. 2 Mike (middle) linebacker, while Stepherson is the No. 2 X (field) receiver behind Torii Hunter Jr. and Williams will split kickoff returns with C.J. Sanders and back up Tarean Folston and Josh Adams at running back. Those three guys are likely to play on Sunday, while White could see time on special teams or in a reserve cornerback role, too.
“The university will work their process, and we'll continue to move forward,” Kelly said. “There's no deadline, per se. But we kind of work as if they're going to play, and if something changes, the university will let us know.”