Wisconsin WR Cephus reinstated, not eligible to play

MADISON, WIS. >> Former Wisconsin receiver Quintez Cephus was cleared Monday to return to school after a jury acquitted him of sexual assault charges, though it was unclear when he will be eligible to play in a game.

The school announced Chancellor Rebecca Blank’s decision in a statement that said the university had obtained information that wasn’t provided during a student conduct review. The statement said sanctions against Cephus have been “reduced” and his expulsion had been lifted, though some conduct violations were upheld.

The statement didn’t elaborate. Wisconsin spokesman John Lucas said he had no information on what the school had learned and declined to comment on what conduct violations were upheld.

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst has said he would welcome Cephus back and the athletic department confirmed Cephus had officially rejoined the team. But in its own statement, the department said it was “working through eligibility issues before he can participate in a game.” The opener for the

19th-ranked Badgers is Aug.

30 at South Florida. “UW Athletics takes allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously,” the statement said.

Cephus’ attorney Stephen Meyer told The Associated Press in an email that he believes the eligibility issues will be addressed promptly but didn’t elaborate.

Football spokesman Brian Lucas declined comment.

Earlier in the day Meyer said he believed the new information mentioned in the school’s statement was 250 pages of court documents he supplied when Cephus requested reinstatement Aug. 6.

He said the only conduct violation that was upheld was sexual harassment. That violation stems from Cephus asking his roommate and fellow receiver, Danny Davis, to take a picture of the two women he was accused of assaulting as they slept in his room. Davis, a junior, was suspended for the first two games last season.