Alabama rising sophomore linebacker VanDarius Cowan has been dismissed from the team for a “violation of team rules,” the team announced Monday. The announcement comes after Cowan was arrested during an incident at a bar in Tuscaloosa on June 23. The Tuscaloosa News has more:
Former top-100 recruit VanDarius Cowan dismissed from Alabama
Nick Saban said in a statement it was due to a “violation of team rules.”
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The arrest was related to an incident at a Tuscaloosa bar [in June].
Cowan was charged with third-degree assault, Tuscaloosa Police confirmed. He turned himself in Thursday and immediately posted $500 bond without having to go to jail, which isn’t uncommon for misdemeanor charges through TPD.
According to the police report, Cowan is accused of punching Jesse Ray, 26, in the face at High Tide bar off the Strip early on the morning of June 23.
“Each of us has a responsibility to represent the University of Alabama in a first-class way, and failure to meet those standards can’t be tolerated. We wish VanDarius the very best in the future,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statement Monday.
Cowan stepped onto campus as a four-star recruit out of Palm Beach, Florida and the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the class of 2017. While the Tide are pretty loaded at linebacker with guys like Jarez Parker, Ben Davis, Ryan Burns, and Dylan Moses still on the roster, Cowan had a chance to see more playing time, seeing action in seven games last season.
“Cowan is a physical freak,” SB Nation’s Bud Elliott said. “The questions surrounding him were always ones of maturity, focus, and attitude. I hope he can get things turned around at his next stop, because he has the physical tools to make a lot of money playing football, if he can just get out of his own way.”
If Cowan transfers, his new team will get a talented prospect. His legal issues will likely have to be worked out before that can happen, though.
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