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April 23, 2008
Gwaltney may be welcomed back as walk-on
MORGANTOWN - Jason Gwaltney's days as a West Virginia football player might not all be in the past after all.
By Dave Hickman
Staff writer
MORGANTOWN - Jason Gwaltney's days as a West Virginia football player might not all be in the past after all.

According to his attorney, the former five-star running back recruit has resolved all of his legal issues, is "in the best shape of his life" and is working toward getting the academic credits he would need to enroll in school.

And West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said Tuesday that he would welcome Gwaltney back under certain conditions.

"We'd welcome him back, sure,'' Stewart said. "If he can get his eligibility back, after all he's put into it, everybody deserves a second chance. But understand, it's all about chemistry. And Jason or anybody else in our program will have to follow all of our guidelines as far as going to class and being accountable. If he does all of that, certainly we'd welcome him.''

Gwaltney's attorney, Bob Martin, said his client pleaded no contest Monday in Monongalia County magistrate court to a minor charge related to his arrest in June of 2007 for speeding and underage drinking. Martin said Gwaltney paid a $100 fine and his only future obligation is to attend a six-hour underage drinking class. Martin said Gwaltney still has "a minor domestic issue" that he expects to be resolved by June.

Gwaltney was arrested in Morgantown in an incident that also involved current West Virginia safety Quinton Andrews. Gwaltney was not a member of the WVU football team at the time.

The Charleston Gazette - WVU - Gwaltney may be welcomed back as walk-on?