Dan Mullen releases statement addressing off-field incidents

It’s not been the best week or so for the Mississippi State football program.

In the last seven days or so, starting quarterback Dak Prescott and a pair of teammates were assaulted by a group of assailants -- they likely won’t face charges -- during a concert while on spring break in Florida... and top wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson was arrested on a pair of weed-related charges... and sophomore offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins was arrested on a warrant for simple assault.

One of the incidents seemingly wasn’t the fault of the players, while the other involved illegal-for-now marijuana -- “I mean, listen, we’re talking about weed, not coke, not meth, not heroin, we talking about weed” -- but the negative light in which the program has been portrayed prompted a statement from head coach Dan Mullen.

“We have very high standards and expectations for all of our student-athletes. Any time an accusation is made against one of our student-athletes, we investigate fully and not jump to any conclusions.”

The good news for Mullen and the program is that spring practice is set to commence this coming Wednesday, with the return to the practice field a welcome relief from the negative headlines the past few days.