John Walters

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -

Will Yeatman participated in practice on Wednesday at Notre Dame, which came as a mild surprise. Earlier in the day, the St. Joe County (Ind.) Prosecutor’s Office announced that the junior tight end will be sentenced on his previous misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after being cited on September 21st as a minor consuming alcohol. Yeatman’s days in a Notre Dame uniform and as a student at the school are in serious doubt.

A press release originating from the St. Joe County Prosecutor’s Office explained Yeatman’s legal situation as follows:

“William T. Yeatman was on a “Deferred Sentencing” program for a January arrest for driving while intoxicated, at the time he was arrested at the home on September 21, 2008. He entered a guilty plea to the charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, and Reckless Driving, a Class B misdemeanor, on February 25, 2008. The sentence was deferred for one year, to allow Yeatman the opportunity to earn the dismissal of the charge of “Operating While Intoxicated.”

“One term of the agreement stated that Yeatman “shall not commit any criminal offenses during the term of this agreement.” Because he failed to comply with this term of the agreement, he will be sentenced on the charge of Operating While Intoxicated forthwith, and both the State and the Defendant will be free to make arguments to the Court regarding the appropriate sentence. The Court will set a date for the sentencing hearing.

“Yeatman … has been offered the opportunity to enter the voluntary diversion program for his September 21 arrest for Minor Consuming, a Class C misdemeanor.

The student will be further subject to any disciplinary proceedings which may be initiated by the University of Notre Dame’s Office of Residence Life, in addition to sanctions imposed by the State.”

While it seems unlikely that Yeatman would serve anywhere near the maximum 180 days in jail, a brief term of incarceration is possible. Yeatman’s status on both Notre Dame’s lacrosse and football teams is definitely in jeopardy, as is his status as a student.

Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis was asked about Yeatman’s status and he replied, “I’m like you. I’m in a holding pattern. As soon as I know, I’ll tell you.”

Weis is unlikely to speak on the matter before his next scheduled meeting with the press on Thursday evening after practice.

On the first day of October and the first chilly day of autumn in South Bend, Yeatman went through his normal stretching exercises partnered with starting freshman tight end Kyle Rudolph. When Weis called the team together, Yeatman stood on the outer fringe of the circle next to fellow Southern California native Jimmy Clausen. When the team broke into individual unit work, Yeatman sprinted over to the tight end area first and was first in line, as is the custom due to his seniority, for all drills.

Yeatman, who was a freshman lacrosse All-American in the spring of 2006, has caught two passes this season. His last catch was a 3-yarder from Clausen at Michigan State, less than 10 hours before his arrest.

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