Spartan football recruit Eric Knott reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Tuesday, which may allow him to play for MSU.
Knott pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum of two years in jail, but he is only expected to receive probation at his June 21 sentencing.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Knott was one of the most highly recruited high school football players in the state after the 1999 season and was also considered one of the best tight ends in the nation. However, MSU didn’t offer Knott a scholarship after his July 1999 first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges were made public.
The Detroit Henry Ford graduate gave a verbal commitment to MSU as a senior in high school, but he has not signed a National Letter of Intent and is not currently enrolled at MSU.
The agreement to a lesser charge comes after a lengthy legal battle dating back to July 1999, when he was charged with two counts of felony criminal sexual conduct.
The charges stemmed from an alleged rape of a 13-year-old Detroit girl. The bargained misdemeanor charge is a huge drop-off from the original charges, which could have landed Knott life in prison.
Because MSU policy dictates that any athlete convicted of a felony will be dismissed from the team, the plea-bargain is a big boost for Knott’s possible playing career at MSU. Had Knott been convicted of the felony charges, he probably wouldn’t have been able to play college football at all.
The court will still monitor Knott’s case for a year because his plea was taken under advisement. The criminal sexual conduct charge will be reduced to aggravated assault if Knott completes the terms of his plea agreement, which include community service.
Knott’s former Detroit Henry Ford teammate and current MSU backup quarterback Damon Dowdell was also charged in the case. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery charges last August. Dowdell joined the MSU football team in September, but was redshirted.
“I think it’s great that (Knott’s) finally going to get his chance,” Dowdell said Wednesday. “He is a pretty good player and he definitely has the talent to do it.
“I don’t know if he can contribute right away. He can do it physically; it depends on how mentally ready he is. He is planning to come here (to MSU) this summer to take classes and start his education.”
School officials and coaches can’t comment on Knott’s status because he has not signed a letter of intent.
Knott’s attorney, Cornelius Pitts, didn’t return phone calls Wednesday.
