Attorney expects McDaniel to play

Don Bosch, McDaniel's attorney, said he expects his client to be eligible to play in the 2005 season.

The News Sentinel reported on July 14 that it had learned McDaniel was likely to have an assault charge reduced from felony to Class A misdemeanor status.

Bosch, has discussed the agreement with Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols. The agreement is expected to be announced today in Knox County Criminal Court before Judge Ray Lee Jenkins.

McDaniel has faced a felony count of aggravated assault after striking fellow UT student Edward Goodrich during a Jan. 12 pickup basketball game at a campus recreation center, breaking four bones in his face. The incident was captured on videotape.

If McDaniel is found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, the charge will stay on his record. Should the plaintiff pursue felony charges, McDaniel would be a strong candidate for judicial diversion and could have the charge dropped from his record, according to Nichols.

McDaniel's attempts to settle the matter out of court have been unsuccessful.

McDaniel has been indefinitely suspended from the team since UT coach Phillip Fulmer learned of the incident.

In order to return to the team McDaniel also would need a favorable ruling from the University of Tennessee administrative law judge who oversaw a May 18th hearing at UT.

That ruling, which is independent of the result of the criminal court case, could also come as early as today. Bosch expects a favorable ruling on that front as well.

McDaniel's suspension could be made retroactive to the second term of summer school. He attended a local junior college the second term of summer school after attending classes at UT for the spring semester.