The No. 9 college football team in the country may lose several players after five Notre Dame Fighting Irishmen were charged with marijuana possession during a traffic stop 45 miles south of South Bend on Aug. 19.
Max Redfield, Dexter Williams, Kevin Stepherson Jr., Ashton White and Te'Von Coney were all in a 2007 Ford Focus (White was driving) when it was pulled over by Indiana State Troopers on U.S. 31 in Rochester at 10:07 pm for speeding (73 mph in a 60 mph zone) and an improper taillight. Redfield, Williams and Stepherson were also charged with possession of a handgun without a license.
In the police report, the trooper claimed he "smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the car" and called for a drug detecting dog, which "indicated the presence of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the car, officers allegedly found marijuana and a loaded handgun."
The five footballers were taken to Fulton County Jail. They all posted bail ($300–$500) on Aug. 20.
Coach Brian Kelly cut starting senior safety Redfield on Sunday, Aug. 21. Sophomores RB Williams and LB Coney saw limited action in 2015. CB White and RB Stepherson are freshmen.
Notre Dame opens their 2016 season on Sept. 4 against Texas.
