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LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Joshua Johns are turning themselves into police, their attorney, Nathan Fisher, said Friday.
Police had issued arrest warrants charging Jefferson and Johns with second-degree battery for a bar fight that injured four people last week.
LSU promptly suspended Jefferson and Johns indefinitely, the school announced.
Baton Rouge police Sgt. Don Stone said in a statement Friday that investigators contacted Fisher and LSU coach Les Miles, and asked for the players to turn themselves in.
"We will continue to cooperate with the authorities in an effort to find out exactly what took place during the incident," Miles said. "As sad as this incident is, it's important that we learn from this and that we take away a valuable lesson. This has weighed on all of us. It's time for us to come together as a team and focus on what we are here to do."
Jefferson and Johns, a linebacker, face felony charges for their alleged roles in a fight outside Shady's bar in Baton Rouge on Aug. 19.
A police report says a 19-year-old woman named Victoria Long said she witnessed several LSU players beating one of the alleged victims and saw Jefferson kick that man in the face.
Four people were treated and released at a hospital in the hours after the fight, and police have said one person had three fractured vertebrae, injuries serious enough to warrant felony charges.
"This has been an unfortunate and difficult situation for everyone involved," said Michael Bienvenu, an attorney representing the alleged victims. "My clients have remained strong throughout this process and are currently focused on healing their injuries."
Two witnesses who work at the bar told The Associated Press that the players did not throw the first punch, but added that once the melee began, it was difficult to see who hit whom, and could not verify the extent to which Jefferson and Johns were involved.
Shady's door manager Jordan Neldare, who said he witnessed the fight, said he noticed that Jefferson removed himself from the brawl before it was over, and was standing alone near the bar's entrance, looking upset.
Police have identified Jefferson, Johns, offensive lineman Chris Davenport, and receiver Jarvis Landry as people of interest in the fight.
On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant of Jefferson's apartment and took 49 pairs of shoes, along with a DNA swab.
Under team orders, LSU players have not discussed the fight publicly since it happened.
Fourth-ranked LSU opens its season Sept. 3 against No. 3 Oregon in Dallas. Although Johns is a reserve, Jefferson was expected to start.
Now fellow senior Jarrett Lee is the likely starter, with sophomore Zach Mettenberger, a junior college transfer, next in line.
Jefferson, a senior, guided LSU to an 11-2 record last season. He is 20-7 as a starter, but the team ranked last in passing in the Southeastern Conference last season, with 155.6 yards per game.
Still, LSU has numerous key players returning and was expected to compete for Southeastern Conference and national championships this season.
The team's success now will ride on how the players are able to regroup from a series of setbacks this offseason, one of which occurred Thursday when LSU suspended starting wide receiver Russell Shepard for violating school and NCAA codes that pertain to discussing NCAA inquiries with teammates who are also scheduled to be interviewed on the same matter.
LSU plans to apply for Shepard's reinstatement, but it is unclear how long that will take. The receiver will miss at least the opener and possibly more games.
Shepard had been interviewed about the NCAA's ongoing investigation into the relationship that scouting services provider and purported street agent Willie Lyles has had with a number of college football programs, including both LSU and Oregon.
Earlier this summer, Steve Kragthorpe, who was hired after last season as the Tigers' new offensive coordinator, announced he had Parkinson's disease. He has remained on staff as quarterbacks coach, but relinquished offensive coordinator duties. Miles has since promoted offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to fill that void.
Source: AP
Police had issued arrest warrants charging Jefferson and Johns with second-degree battery for a bar fight that injured four people last week.
LSU promptly suspended Jefferson and Johns indefinitely, the school announced.
Baton Rouge police Sgt. Don Stone said in a statement Friday that investigators contacted Fisher and LSU coach Les Miles, and asked for the players to turn themselves in.
"We will continue to cooperate with the authorities in an effort to find out exactly what took place during the incident," Miles said. "As sad as this incident is, it's important that we learn from this and that we take away a valuable lesson. This has weighed on all of us. It's time for us to come together as a team and focus on what we are here to do."
Jefferson and Johns, a linebacker, face felony charges for their alleged roles in a fight outside Shady's bar in Baton Rouge on Aug. 19.
A police report says a 19-year-old woman named Victoria Long said she witnessed several LSU players beating one of the alleged victims and saw Jefferson kick that man in the face.
Four people were treated and released at a hospital in the hours after the fight, and police have said one person had three fractured vertebrae, injuries serious enough to warrant felony charges.
"This has been an unfortunate and difficult situation for everyone involved," said Michael Bienvenu, an attorney representing the alleged victims. "My clients have remained strong throughout this process and are currently focused on healing their injuries."
Two witnesses who work at the bar told The Associated Press that the players did not throw the first punch, but added that once the melee began, it was difficult to see who hit whom, and could not verify the extent to which Jefferson and Johns were involved.
Shady's door manager Jordan Neldare, who said he witnessed the fight, said he noticed that Jefferson removed himself from the brawl before it was over, and was standing alone near the bar's entrance, looking upset.
Police have identified Jefferson, Johns, offensive lineman Chris Davenport, and receiver Jarvis Landry as people of interest in the fight.
On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant of Jefferson's apartment and took 49 pairs of shoes, along with a DNA swab.
Under team orders, LSU players have not discussed the fight publicly since it happened.
Fourth-ranked LSU opens its season Sept. 3 against No. 3 Oregon in Dallas. Although Johns is a reserve, Jefferson was expected to start.
Now fellow senior Jarrett Lee is the likely starter, with sophomore Zach Mettenberger, a junior college transfer, next in line.
Jefferson, a senior, guided LSU to an 11-2 record last season. He is 20-7 as a starter, but the team ranked last in passing in the Southeastern Conference last season, with 155.6 yards per game.
Still, LSU has numerous key players returning and was expected to compete for Southeastern Conference and national championships this season.
The team's success now will ride on how the players are able to regroup from a series of setbacks this offseason, one of which occurred Thursday when LSU suspended starting wide receiver Russell Shepard for violating school and NCAA codes that pertain to discussing NCAA inquiries with teammates who are also scheduled to be interviewed on the same matter.
LSU plans to apply for Shepard's reinstatement, but it is unclear how long that will take. The receiver will miss at least the opener and possibly more games.
Shepard had been interviewed about the NCAA's ongoing investigation into the relationship that scouting services provider and purported street agent Willie Lyles has had with a number of college football programs, including both LSU and Oregon.
Earlier this summer, Steve Kragthorpe, who was hired after last season as the Tigers' new offensive coordinator, announced he had Parkinson's disease. He has remained on staff as quarterbacks coach, but relinquished offensive coordinator duties. Miles has since promoted offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to fill that void.
Source: AP