MSU head coach John L. Smith has experienced his most turbulent off-season going into his third year on the Spartan sidelines. From criminal misdemeanors to players prematurely leaving the team, this off-season has been enough to give the Spartan coaching staff a headache. While the legal system has sorted out most of the incidents, some were dealt with in-house punishment.
Aaron AlexanderYear: Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Situation: Convicted of driving while impaired, was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and has to attend an eight-session substance abuse program
2004 Stats: 15 receptions, 178 yards; 2-for-3 passing, 34 yards, 1 touchdown
Status: Is out six weeks after suffering a broken right foot
Jaren Hayes
Year: Senior
Position: Cornerback
Situation: Suspended indefinitely for an off-field incident
2004 Stats: 68 tackles (53 solo, 15 assists), eight pass break-ups, one interception and one sack
Status: Re-joined the team as a walk-on
Gordon Niebylski
Year: Senior
Position: Offensive guard
Situation: Pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct
2004 Stats: 28 pancakes, three starts
Status: Projected to start
Domata Peko
Year: Senior
Position: Defensive tackle
Situation: Pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct
2004 Stats: 14 tackles (11 solos, 3 assists)
Status: Projected to start
Stephen Reaves
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Position: Quarterback
Situation: Arraigned in late April on charges of drunken driving and unlawfully displaying a license
2004 Stats: 23-for-58, 331 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions
Status: Transferred to Southern Mississippi after falling to fourth on the quarterback depth chart in spring practice
Agim Shabaj
Year: Senior
Position: Wide receiver
Situation: Declared academically ineligible for 2005 season
2004 Stats: 29 catches for 308 yards and 1 touchdown
Status: Left school and was not selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft in July
Jason Teague
Year: Senior
Position: Running back
Situation: Charged with assault and battery
2004 Stats: Rushed for 688 yards and eight touchdowns
Status: Charges were dropped and he must attend anger management courses
Tony Howard
Year: Redshirt freshman
Position: Running back
Situation: Charged with driving while intoxicated in his home state of Ohio. Left team after falling to fifth on running back depth chart
2004 Stats: Redshirted
Status: No longer on the team
