By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff
Running back Martin yet to be cleared by NCAA
Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday night that four football players have been declared ineligible.
Jones said wide receiver Anthony Mitchell, offensive linemen Anquez Jackson and Antonio Regist and defensive end Jonathan Jones were all ruled ineligible.
"We're moving on without those guys," said Jones, four days before A&M opens the season against Tennessee State.
"It would have been nice to have them, but we don't. We're going to look elsewhere for answers."
Meanwhile, former Bob Jones running back Max Martin has yet to be cleared due to an NCAA issue. Jones said Martin has a chance to get eligible, but it won't happen before Saturday's season opener.
"There's a possibility," he said, "but the NCAA has to decide that. I don't want to say anything to derail that possibility. He's still trying to get himself eligible. When and if that happens ..."
Sources say Regist also has an outside chance to get eligible.
Martin transferred to A&M last January from Alabama and was expected to give the Bulldogs a tough, hard-nosed running back at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Mitchell and Regist's status had been up in the air throughout training camp, while Jones failed to get eligible during summer school.
Mitchell, who would have been a starter, was A&M's third-leading receiver a year ago with 20 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Regist, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer two years ago, missed all of last season with an ankle injury and was listed as the third team left guard. Jackson was listed as the second team left tackle and was being counted on heavily in A&M's thin and inexperienced offensive line, while Jones was a reserve defensive end and a solid special teams player.
"All of them made plays during camp," Jones said. "We were hoping to have them available."
Losing Martin, Mitchell and Jackson were big blows.
Without Martin, A&M will have to rely on Ulysses Banks and Anthony Green, a pair of undersized running backs. The loss of Mitchell leaves A&M with only one proven receiver in Thomas Harris and he's only a sophomore. Jackson's departure leaves A&M's offensive line even thinner.
Jones said Martin, Mitchell, Regist and Jones will continue to practice with the team.
Running back Martin yet to be cleared by NCAA
Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday night that four football players have been declared ineligible.
Jones said wide receiver Anthony Mitchell, offensive linemen Anquez Jackson and Antonio Regist and defensive end Jonathan Jones were all ruled ineligible.
"We're moving on without those guys," said Jones, four days before A&M opens the season against Tennessee State.
"It would have been nice to have them, but we don't. We're going to look elsewhere for answers."
Meanwhile, former Bob Jones running back Max Martin has yet to be cleared due to an NCAA issue. Jones said Martin has a chance to get eligible, but it won't happen before Saturday's season opener.
"There's a possibility," he said, "but the NCAA has to decide that. I don't want to say anything to derail that possibility. He's still trying to get himself eligible. When and if that happens ..."
Sources say Regist also has an outside chance to get eligible.
Martin transferred to A&M last January from Alabama and was expected to give the Bulldogs a tough, hard-nosed running back at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Mitchell and Regist's status had been up in the air throughout training camp, while Jones failed to get eligible during summer school.
Mitchell, who would have been a starter, was A&M's third-leading receiver a year ago with 20 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Regist, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer two years ago, missed all of last season with an ankle injury and was listed as the third team left guard. Jackson was listed as the second team left tackle and was being counted on heavily in A&M's thin and inexperienced offensive line, while Jones was a reserve defensive end and a solid special teams player.
"All of them made plays during camp," Jones said. "We were hoping to have them available."
Losing Martin, Mitchell and Jackson were big blows.
Without Martin, A&M will have to rely on Ulysses Banks and Anthony Green, a pair of undersized running backs. The loss of Mitchell leaves A&M with only one proven receiver in Thomas Harris and he's only a sophomore. Jackson's departure leaves A&M's offensive line even thinner.
Jones said Martin, Mitchell, Regist and Jones will continue to practice with the team.
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