The saga never ends. I hope it has a good ending when all is said and done. But I'll wait and see on this one...

The Charleston Gazette Wrote:Gwaltney may be welcomed back as walk-on
By Dave Hickman Staff writer
April 23, 2008

MORGANTOWN - Jason Gwaltney's days as a West Virginia football player might not all be in the past after all.

According to his attorney, the former five-star running back recruit has resolved all of his legal issues, is "in the best shape of his life" and is working toward getting the academic credits he would need to enroll in school.

And West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said Tuesday that he would welcome Gwaltney back under certain conditions.

"We'd welcome him back, sure,'' Stewart said. "If he can get his eligibility back, after all he's put into it, everybody deserves a second chance. But understand, it's all about chemistry. And Jason or anybody else in our program will have to follow all of our guidelines as far as going to class and being accountable. If he does all of that, certainly we'd welcome him.''

Gwaltney's attorney, Bob Martin, said his client pleaded no contest Monday in Monongalia County magistrate court to a minor charge related to his arrest in June of 2007 for speeding and underage drinking. Martin said Gwaltney paid a $100 fine and his only future obligation is to attend a six-hour underage drinking class. Martin said Gwaltney still has "a minor domestic issue" that he expects to be resolved by June.

Gwaltney was arrested in Morgantown in an incident that also involved current West Virginia safety Quinton Andrews. Gwaltney was not a member of the WVU football team at the time.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound running back from Long Island played in only a handful of games as a true freshman in 2005 before a knee injury in a game at Rutgers sidelined him. Gwaltney then stopped going to class and missed rehab sessions and left the team and the school before the semester ended.

He was briefly reinstated to the team in the spring of 2006, but was dismissed by then-coach Rich Rodriguez. He enrolled in classes at a community college in Long Island but did not receive any credits.

Now, though, Martin said Gwaltney is again working toward establishing the credits he needs at a community college and getting into shape for a return to West Virginia.

"He's probably in the best shape he's ever been in,'' Martin said Tuesday. "He's really got his head screwed on right this time. That's one of the reasons he's as clean as a whistle as far as his legal issues are concerned. He was able to impress the prosecutor enough that he worked with him [to drop several minor charges and work out the plea agreement].''

Gwaltney arrived at West Virginia in 2005 as one of the most publicized recruits in school history after turning down offers to play at Southern Cal and Ohio State. He played in six games as a freshman, carrying the ball 45 times for 186 yards and three touchdowns and catching four passes for 15 yards.

As was the case when he returned to the team briefly in the spring of 2006, if Gwaltney gets the credits needed to enroll at WVU again he would do so as a walk-on, Stewart said.

To contact staff writer Dave Hickman, use e-mail or call (304) 348-1734.

That is great news for WV and for Gwaltney. If he truly has gotten himself together, then he will really cherish this opportunity that has been handed to him.

That he will. Nothing tastes sweeter than victory long denied.

It also helps Gwaltney that there is a new coaching staff in place..Almost all of the current coaches don't remember his first time in Morgantown, thus is slate is a little cleaner .I think that increases his chances of success...

Frankly, I thought RR picked on him publicly a little too much

Jackson

wow. thats some good news for the program if his head is on str8. he just might spell noel devine pretty well. could even be an even deadly backfield.

Jackson1011 Wrote:It also helps Gwaltney that there is a new coaching staff in place..Almost all of the current coaches don't remember his first time in Morgantown, thus is slate is a little cleaner .I think that increases his chances of success...

Frankly, I thought RR picked on him publicly a little too much

Jackson

The important one, Coach Stew, remembers him well. He's been there since Nehlen left. But I figure Stewart is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as long as he shows the commitment and effort required.

But he'd better put forth the commitment and effort, or it ain't Stew's problem. I doubt that he'll get any slack beyond that.

Its almost shocking that he can enroll into ANY University.

After leaving WVU on shaking ground...kid FAILED out of Community College.

PS. If he spends as much time on academics and staying out of trouble as he did worrying about not getting a "5th" star from rivals.com till the very end...he will be one smart cookie.

PS. Here's the story for those that didn't follow his recruiting.

Pretty funny stuff.

The Ballad of Jason Gwaltney
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/0...-gwaltney/

KnightLight Wrote:Its almost shocking that he can enroll into ANY University.

After leaving WVU on shaking ground...kid FAILED out of Community College.

PS. If he spends as much time on academics and staying out of trouble as he did worrying about not getting a "5th" star from rivals.com till the very end...he will be one smart cookie.

PS. Here's the story for those that didn't follow his recruiting.

Pretty funny stuff.

The Ballad of Jason Gwaltney
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/0...-gwaltney/

You Troll around just to pick on WVU and USF.

There are always those failed wannabees, who denegrate any whose accomplishments match their own. Little do they realize how their obstinate nature reveals their shortcomings.