Wisconsin Reinstates WR Quintez Cephus After Sexual Assault Acquittal

The school says it obtained information that wasn't provided during a student conduct review.

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MADISON, Wis. — Former Wisconsin receiver Quintez Cephus has been cleared to return to school after a jury acquitted him of sexual assault charges. The school later announced that he has rejoined the football team and that the sides are "working through eligibility issues before he can participate in a game."

University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced the reinstatement decision Monday. The school says it obtained information that wasn't provided during a student conduct review. The statement said sanctions against Cephus have been "reduced" and his expulsion has been lifted. The statement didn't elaborate.

Cephus was suspended from the football team in August 2018 after he was charged. He was expelled from the university earlier this year for violating its nonacademic misconduct policies.

A jury acquitted him of the charges Aug. 2. His attorneys have been pressuring Blank to let him return.

Blank says she hopes the decision doesn't deter sexual assault victims from coming forward.