Tennessee State two year starting quarterback Mike German has regained his academic eligibility and rejoined the football team but will not be allowed to play in the first two games.
Coach Rod Reed said it was his decision to sit German out.
“Mike has hurt this team with his actions, he didn’t go through spring ball, he hasn’t gone through fall camp,” Reed told The Tennessean. “In order for him to really appreciate or understand the magnitude of the hole that he put this team in he’s going to have to learn from that.” German, a junior, won’t be allowed to speak to the media until the third week of the season.
TSU opens on Sept. 1 in the John Merritt Classic against Bethune-Cookman at LP Field and visitsFlorida A&M on Sept. 7.
German will be allowed to play Sept. 14 when TSU meets Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis.
Ronald Butler, a redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Fla., is expected to start against Bethune-Cookman. Lamar McKnight, a junior college transfer from Contra Costa (Calif.), is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart.
Reed said German would be allowed to practice for the first time this fall on Tuesday. The Tigers are off Sunday and Monday.
German, who passed for 2,751 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, became academically ineligible last spring.
He also was charged with felony vandalism and was not allowed to go through spring practice. That charge was dismissed earlier this month.