STARKVILLE — Junior wide receiver Fred Brown is no longer a student at Mississippi State, a football spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
The Clarion-Ledger first reported Brown violated the MSU honor code, but the spokesperson didn’t confirm the report. The honor code states, “As a Mississippi State University student I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”
MSU had no comment on Brown. Coach Dan Mullen wasn’t made available to reporters after the football team’s practice Thursday.
The Jackson native missed the football team’s scrimmage Saturday. Mullen said Brown was absent because of a “family matter.”
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound receiver caught 27 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns last season. Brown, who said earlier this spring he was taking on a bigger leadership role, appeared in 34 games with 15 starts in his career. He made 50 catches for 785 yards and five touchdowns.
After the departure of De’Runnya Wilson to the NFL draft and with Fred Ross out with a groin injury and Donald Gray sidelined with a knee injury, the Bulldogs are thin at receiver. Without Brown, inexperienced players like redshirt freshmen Deddrick Thomas, Keith Mixon, and Jonnas Spivey and rising sophomores Malik Dear and Jesse Jackson could have a chance to earn more playing time.
Rising junior Gabe Myles also has played slot receiver this spring.
MSU will play its annual Maroon and White spring game at 11 a.m. Saturday (ESPNU) as part of Super Bulldog Weekend.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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