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Washington State starting cornerback Daquawn Brown has been dismissed from the team by Mike Leach, according to a report from Cougfan.com. According to Cougfan, Brown was dismissed prior to winter break for a violation of team rules.
Brown just finished his sophomore season with the Cougars. Following a solid freshman season, he established himself as WSU's No. 1 corner heading into last season. While his play was up and down this season, he was arguably the most talented defensive back on the roster. Brown's name is still listed on WSU's official roster while other players who have left the program have been removed. Assuming the Cougfan report is accurate, WSU's secondary becomes even more uncertain.
Brown has had previous off the field issues, including last offseason when he plead guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge. Brown was involved in an incident in the Compton Union Building and eventually plead guilty to assaulting a male student.
WSU Sports Information Director Bill Stevens did not comment on Cougfan's report when they contacted him. We'll update this story as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: The situation may not be as clear as the original report indicated. According to Washington corner Naijiel Hale, Brown is suspended, not dismissed.
talked 2 my bro Cheeta (Daquan Brown) don't believe everything u see on Twitter. My boy still a Coug he suspended not kicked off the team.
— NHALECAMP (@YoungNateDawg) December 29, 2014
UPDATE No. 2: Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman Review confirms the original report from Cougfan.
I can confirm earlier @Cougfan report that leading tackler Daquawn Brown is off the team. I doubt he'll be coming back. #Wazzu #WSU
— Jacob Thorpe (@JacobThorpeSR) December 30, 2014
UPDATE No. 3: WSU cornerback Pat Porter weighs in.
My bro cheetah (Daquawn brown) is not kicked off the team!
— MASTERP! (@Pat_Porter11) December 30, 2014