Austin Serferian-Jenkins is scheduled to serve his one day in jail on July 31. Washington begins fall camp on Aug. 5. He was expected to be a 1st Round pick, and was the #1 TE in receiving yards per game last season (#2 was Stanford senior TE Zach Ertz who went #35 overall in the Draft) He also set Washington single-season records for both receptions and receiving yards for a TE last year Although he is not old enough to legally drink, he wrecked his car into a park near campus where it was found in a ditch. His blood-alcohol level was 0.18 percent, more than twice the state limit. Seferian-Jenkins' attorney, William Kirk, noted his client chose to stop driving after his arrest and started walking most places, to which Judge Fred Bonner said, "That might be good for you." Before issuing his sentence, Bonner told Seferian-Jenkins that one thing he could do for the court is, "Talk to your teammates about what you have gone through."
On top of that, Washington's other biggest offensive star, WR Kasen Williams has also been arrested. He was Washington's leading receiver a year ago with 77 catches (3rd best in school history) for 878 yards (8th best in school history). Coming out of high school he was the first Parade All-America National Player of the Year to ever come from the state of Washington and his dad played WR for Washington He was pulled over by the Washington State Patrol for speeding. In the arrest report, the Washington State Patrol officer said he noted the smell of marijuana and alcohol as he approached the car. He was arrested for being under 21 and operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or marijuana. Williams received a 24-month deferred jail sentence, paid a $695.50 fine and was placed on probation for two years. Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian released a statement saying the school was aware of the incident. "As a matter of policy, any disciplinary measures taken as a result of this incident will remain internal to the team," Sarkisian said in his statement.
The Sports Director of Q13 FOX News (Seattle/Tacoma) published an opinion piece on the matter: Commentary: Seferian-Jenkins and Williams Punishment We start by putting our spotlight on Husky football players, Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Kasen Williams ... Until these incidents, I’ve always held both players in the highest regard. And contrary to some opinions, I still believe they’re good kids who both made horrific mistakes and decisions. ... Let’s be honest, Seferian-Jenkins is lucky no one else was hurt or killed. ... Meanwhile, just this week, Williams...was arrested...the police report states that his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for drivers under the age of 21 – that the car smelled of marijuana, that a glass bong was in the car, and the passenger was Willis Wilson, who was kicked off the football team last year for a violation of team rules. These are terrible decisions as well. Plus, they came after A.S.J.’s arrest when the microscope was already on the Husky program and when a team leader like Williams has an added responsibility to set a good example. ... That said, I believe the most fair punishment for both players would be a one or two-game suspension. ... I know there will be disagreement from both sides. That a one or two-game suspension isn’t tough enough ... Or that missing a game or two is too harsh ... I also understand a DUI charge often leads to termination in the workplace, yet Seferian-Jenkins has endured more public humiliation than most people would too.
