There's no doubt about it. A.J. Graham -- Florida's Mr. Football - will soon be headed to join his new teammates at Marshall University.
Marshall University reinstated the Godby High School (Tallahassee, Fla.,) star's scholarship Thursday after armed robbery charges were dropped against the record-setting quarterback earlier on Thursday morning because Graham's alibi, according to his lawyer, is strong enough to create "reasonable doubt."
""Based on today's development, A.J. will have his scholarship reinstated," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. "We look forward to having him join our program and put this unfortunate episode behind him."
Graham, 18, signed with Marshall last Feb. 4 (National Signing Day) after setting school season and career records for pass completions, pass attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes.
A month earlier, Graham, who completed 244-of-396 passes for 3,870 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2008, was named Florida's Mr. Football as the state's top player. Previous winners include Tim Tebow, Leon Washington, and Daunte Culpepper.
Graham's dream of playing college football. however, appeared lost when he was arrested and charged with armed robbery May 26 in Tallahassee. Marshall University released Graham from his scholarship.Graham's trial had been set for Oct. 19 and he could have faced 10 years to life in prison had he been convicted.
"They can't prove the charges," Graham's attorney, Tim Jensen, told The Tallahassee Democrat.
According to the court document, three men were robbed about 11:45 p.m. May 23 by two men in a charcoal-colored gray/silver Chevrolet Impala. Court records state the three victims were on their way to a party, which Graham attended earlier in the evening. The investigation found that Graham's grandmother had a gray Impala registered in her name and the car was found in the driveway of Graham's home.
However, court records show the woman testified she drove the car to work the evening of the robbery and didn't return home until 11:35 p.m. A neighbor confirmed the woman's testimony and said the car didn't leave after that time. Court records state additional witnesses testified Graham attended the party with three other people and left around midnight. Marshall is looking to rebound from last season's 4-8 record. The Thundering Herd open their season Sept. 5 at Southern Illinois.
