Recruit Michael Southall admitted selling drugs to police and got probation. UK withdrew its scholarship offer.
Sophomore Desmond Allison was charged with DUI and stood to have his scholarship stripped if convicted under UK's zero tolerance alcohol policy. He has transferred to a Division II college in Tennessee.
Kentucky seems willing to take the hard line on athletes who run afoul of the law. It's Southeastern Conference rival to the south, Tennessee, doesn't seem as picky.
A week after pleading no-contest to charges he sneaked into a female student's dorm room at the University of Florida and fondled her, offensive lineman Jason Respert signed with the Volunteers.
By entering a no-contest plea, Respert didn't admit guilt but he didn't fight the charge and agreed to two years of supervisory probation and 40 hours of community service.
Despite the incident, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer had no qualms about taking Respert. "I believe in Jason Respert and look forward to coaching him," the Associated Press quoted him as saying. "I know everyone concerned is glad to have the opportunity to move forward."
Tennessee was not Respert's only suitor. The charge stemmed from an incident during a recruiting visit to the University of Florida. Florida rescinded its scholarship offer to the 6-foot-4, 295-pound, consensus high school All-America. The University of Georgia did too.
Tennessee, in need of offensive line help after losing three starters last season, overlooked Respert's scrape with the law. In whose interest are the Vols giving the kid a scholarship?
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