Alfonzo Dennard convicted of assault

Dennard’s jail sentence begins on March 1, 2014, the Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young reports. He received 12 months of probation for each charge, totaling two years. He is also required to complete 100 hours of community service.

Dennard, who played college ball at the University of Nebraska, got into a scrape with a college student in Lincoln on the morning of April 21, 2012. When a police officer saw the incident and got involved, Dennard was charged with striking the officer and resisting the resulting arrest. He was found guilty of both on Feb. 20.

Dennard, 23, faces up to six years in prison, according to Lori Pilger of the Lincoln Journal Star. His sentencing will be on April 11. The trial started on Feb. 11.

Dennard was found guilty of punching a police officer -- a felony offense -- outside of a bar last April. The rookie cornerback out of Nebraska denied punching the officer, but admitted to resisting arrest.

Closing arguments have been presented and now it’s up to the jury to make a decision of Dennard’s fate.

Dennard claims that he never punched a policeman but does admit to having resisted arrest and punching another man during the incident. The prosecution has brought forth a cellphone video of the alleged assault, but the defense has argued it’s inconclusive.

Dennard allegedly punched a man outside a bar in Lincoln, Neb. He’s accused of punching a police officer in the face who was trying to break up the fight. He reportedly continued to resist arrest until being restrained by four officers. In addition to the felony, he was also charged with two misdemeanors: third-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Before his arrest, Dennard was considered a likely second- or third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday. Now, it won’t be a surprise to see his stock tumble all the way into the fourth round. From the Associated Press:

Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard may have seen his 2012 NFL draft stock take a hit this weekend when he was arrested for third-degree assault on an officer after he reportedly punched a Lincoln police officer. The Omaha World-Herald reports the incident took place on Saturday morning.

Per the report, it took four officers to bring down the 5’10, 204-pound Dennard. He was arrested on charges of third-degree assault on an officer as well as resisting arrest and another third-degree assault for the alleged fight.