🏈 WVU RB, projected as a potential starter vs. Alabama, arrested for witness intimidation

[BAMANEWSBOT]

For a second consecutive year, Alabama's season-opening opponent could be short-handed at running back.

Wendell Smallwood, a rising sophomore who was projected as a potential starter, was arrested Monday on charges of witness intimidation in a murder case, according to a Delaware News Journal report. The Wilmington, Delaware, native was arrested in West Virginia and is being held for extradition.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen has yet to comment on Smallwood's status other than acknowledging he was aware of the situation. The Mountaineers take on the Crimson Tide on Aug. 30 in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

Smallwood was active during his true freshman season and was locked in a competition to replaceCharles Sims, a third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Smallwood, who was also West Virginia's starting kick returner, ran for 225 yards and a touchdown and caught 11 passes in 2013.

If Smallwood's not available against Alabama, the Mountaineers will rely on Pittsburgh transfer Rushel Shell and senior Dreamius Smith.

Last year, Virginia Tech was without a number of its running backs against Alabama because of injuries and off-season discipline issues.

Check out the News Journal's full report.

 

[bamaraider]

3rd year if you count what happened to Michigan's RB.

 

[TerryP]

3rd year if you count what happened to Michigan's RB.

If we include him, we have to make it four years (if we don't count Kent.) I recall Penn State losing their FB to injury and senior RB Stephon ____?____ was suspended for the Bama game as well as five or six others to start that season.

 

[bamafan4ever]

I just like the name "Dreamius Smith".......LOL!

 

[PhillyGirl]

"Wendell Smallwood"

What an unfortunate last name for a man to have

 

[bamafan4ever]

"Wendell Smallwood"

What an unfortunate last name for a man to have

LOL!

 

[TerryP]

"Wendell Smallwood"

What an unfortunate last name for a man to have

:doh2:

 

[sean]

witness intimidation in a murder case?

welcome to the world of a felony Mr. Smallwood.

In the United States, the crime of witness tampering in federal cases is defined by statute at 18 U.S.C.§ 1512, "Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant". The punishment for such an offense is up to 20 years if physical force was used or attempted, and up to 10 years if physical force was only threatened. The tampering need not have actually been successful in order for it to be criminal.