Other Florida Teams
Gators Roundup 8/12/04
By Mike Phillips
Aug 12, 2004

(herald.com) - University of Florida linebacker Channing Crowder has already been suspended from playing in Florida's Sept. 4 season opener against Middle Tennessee State, and it appears his legal problems might not be over until well after the season begins.

The state attorney's office has formally charged Crowder with disorderly conduct for an incident outside a Gainesville nightclub and has scheduled a pretrial conference Sept. 28 -- the Tuesday following Florida's fourth game of the season.

According to a police report, Crowder was arrested after he refused to leave the Palace nightclub and then ran from police as he chased a man whom he was arguing with in the club. The incident took place May 16.

On Sept. 28, Crowder can either plead guilty to the charges or choose to go to trial. The date could be moved up to allow Crowder to resolve his legal problems before the season begins.

Crowder's attorney, Huntley Johnson, entered a written plea of not guilty on May 25, and also requested a plea of deferred prosecution -- a plea, which if granted, would have allowed Crowder to avoid any jail time.

The charge is a second-degree misdemeanor, which carries a possible 60-day jail sentence. But it is unlikely Crowder will serve jail time if he is found guilty.

The state attorney's office rejected the plea of deferred prosecution because of Crowder's problems in the past. Crowder was arrested for misdemeanor battery in an incident outside the same Gainesville night club in April 2003.

UF safety Jarvis Herring also was arrested along with Crowder on May 16, and charged for misdemeanor resisting arrest and obstructing without violence. The state attorney's office has granted Herring a plea of deferred prosecution.

YOUNG LINEBACKERS

The last time Todd McCullough wore a Gators uniform, the team had a much different feel.

McCullough's cast at linebacker has changed drastically since before he sat out the 2003 season after shoulder surgery.

What has really impressed McCullough in the first two days of practice is the play of freshmen linebackers who might be forced into action.

''I can't stress enough how impressed I am with Brandon [Siler] and Javier [Estopiņan of South Miami],'' McCullough said. ``I knew they were good players and good athletes, but I didn't realize the maturity level and their eagerness to learn.''