- All
FOOTBALL: Cass Tech all-state QB Campbell allowed to return to school, his status for 2014 campaign undecided
DETROIT – Jayru Campbell is back in the building.
His return to the football field, however, is still up in the air.
Campbell, Detroit Cass Tech’s high-profile all-state quarterback, was readmitted to school this week after serving a three-month suspension for an alleged assault of a Cass Tech security guard that took place in January.
Whether he’ll be back on the gridiron throwing the pigksin for the state-power Technicians as a senior this fall remains unknown.
The 17-year old 6-foot-4 signal-caller and Michigan State-commit has been charged as an adult with two counts of assault in Wayne County’s 36th Circuit Court related to an incident on January 22 when he was caught on video tape body-slamming a security guard in a Cass Tech hallway after being ordered to remove the hood of his sweatshirt off his head.
Pleading not guilty to the charges, Campbell’s attorney and prosecutors are currently considering a plea deal where Campbell would avoid the incident making it on his adult record.
Detroit Public School spokesperson Jennifer Mrozowski issued a press release on Campbell’s re-admission to DPS Thursday afternoon, playing things close to the vest because of legal concerns.
“Jayru Campbell has been readmitted to Cass Tech. We are unable to discuss the decision because Mr. Campbell’s educational records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Unless his parents authorize the district to release those records, we cannot and will not comment any further.”
A starter under center at the varsity level since he was a 14-year old freshman, Campbell has led Cass Tech to two state championships (repeat Division 1 titles in 2011 & 2012) and attracted college scholarship offers from national glamour programs such as Notre Dame and Alabama. He committed to Michigan State late last summer.
Prior to the assault charges being filed, he was already slated to serve a one-game suspension to open the 2014 season due to his throwing a punch in a post game hand-shake line following his Technicians’ 28-0 loss to Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the state semifinals in November.
Cass Tech had beaten Catholic Central in the state finals at Ford Field the previous two years, with Campbell cementing his reputation as a Blue-Chip college prospect in both games, carving up a vaunted Catholic Central defense in each surprisingly lopsided affair.
Campbell is scheduled to be back in court on May 2.
