Iowa State WR P.J. Harris dismissed, THEN arrested

Normally it’s an arrest that precedes the dismissal of a college football player. In the case of P.J. Harris, it’s the exact opposite.

An Iowa State spokesperson confirmed to Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune that Harris had been dismissed from the football program Jan. 13. The reason for the dismissal was your standard violation of unspecified team rules, although the school hadn’t previously announced or publicly acknowledged the forced separation.

Then, earlier today, the wide receiver was arrested on a charge of aggravated domestic assault/strangulation. From the Tribune:

Harris was charged at 10:48 p.m. on Thursday, according to Ames arrest records. The incident between Harris and the victim occurred on Thursday morning, according to Ames Cmdr. Jason Tuttle. The two got into an argument when the victim went to Harris’ apartment at 4503 Twain Circle, Apt. 306. Harris allegedly pushed the victim onto a wall, threw the victim down on a bed and strangled the victim with his hands, Tuttle said.

Harris was one of the Cyclones’ top receivers early on in 2014 before going down in mid-September with what turned out to be a season-ending broken leg. At the time of his injury, Harris was tied for second — with two other players — on the team with nine receptions.

Harris, a three-star member of ISU’s 2012 recruiting class, caught seven passes as a redshirt freshman in 2013.