Allen, who was the Hoosiers’ leading tackler in 2014, had a pretrial conference Aug. 13, and the date for his jury trial was set for Dec. 16. He will redshirt the 2015 football season.
“We welcome Antonio Allen to the Sycamore football family,” Sanford said. “We look forward to seeing him have a successful future both academically and athletically here at Indiana State.”
Allen was considered a prize commit in the 2013 recruiting class after decommiting from Ole Miss. Since then, he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and earned a full-time starting position during his sophomore season, compiling 74 tackles and two interceptions last season.
“He went through a lot to get here (IU),” IU Coach Kevin Wilson said. “I respect what he did to get here, and I told him, ‘This isn’t a good deal, but you shouldn’t give in and give up.’ We’ll see where that takes him in life.”
Wilson spoke to Indiana State before the transfer in a matter-of- fact manner, Wilson said. He told the Sycamores who Allen is as a player and as a person.
“I wish him no ill will,” Wilson said.
Allen was arrested June 16 when leaving Memorial Stadium on felony charges of dealing heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. He was released on bond the next day.
IU Coach Kevin Wilson said the team looked into the matter and it was an isolated incident.
Allen is the third overall football player to be arrested since April 2015. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Ralphael “Ralph” Green III and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Isaac Griffith were arrested in the spring.
Brody Miller and Taylor Lehman
