The Miami Hurricanes will be down two linebackers this season after a pair of 20-year-old players, JaWand Blue and Alexander Figueroa, were arrested and charged with sexual battery against a "physically helpless" victim on July 5. The victim was a 17-year-old female.
According to reports, the two players admitted buying the underage girl alcohol, then performing sexual acts on her, including intercourse, in Figueroa's dorm room. Figueroa was further charged with possession of a stolen or forged driver's license; both men are being held on $10,000 bail.
Miami's athletic director James Blake issued a statement that read: "Earlier today, I permanently dismissed Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa from the UM football team. The University has also suspended the students from school and barred them from all campus facilities while the University conducts an internal investigation and continues to cooperate with local law enforcement.
Any allegation of a sexual assault is extremely serious, and the University will not tolerate conduct that threatens the sanctity and safety of our students and our campus. We hold all of our students -- especially student athletes -- to the highest standards of moral conduct."
The two dismissed players were both contributors last season as true freshmen, and were in the mix to see their roles increased this year. Figueroa in particular was slated to have a big role-he started twice last season and recorded 17 tackles in total. That's all up in smoke now in light of the serious crimes that were committed.
University president Donna E. Shalala also spoke on the matter. "There is no confusion about our responsibility as a university: We will fully and compassionately support the victim of sexual assault. I have spoken to her myself and reassured her of our full support."
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