Oklahoma State Suspends Collins For Rest Of Season

Friday, November 9th 2007, 8:45 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State suspends linebacker Chris Collins Junior for the remainder of the season because of his guilty plea to felony aggravated sexual assault.

A New Boston, Texas, jury on Wednesday recommended a five-year prison term that would be served on probation for Collins, who entered his plea a day earlier to the charge stemming from the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.

He will be formally sentenced December 10th and could be ordered to register as a sex offender.

OSU interim president Marlene Strathe says a final decision on his long-term status on the team won't be made until officials review the situation and talk to Collins in detail. School spokesman Gary Shutt said Collins will get to keep his scholarship and stay enrolled in the meantime.

Collins and three others were charged following an after-prom party in May 2004, when he was 17.

Collins had missed five games this season due to injury before returning Saturday to record five tackles in a 38-35 loss to Number 14 Texas. He had 31 tackles in five games this season.