Freshman linebacker Ridge Wilson, who has been charged with and pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault, has been reinstated to the UK football team as of Saturday, UK head coach Rich Brooks announced in a news release.

“Ridge Wilson has been reinstated to full status with the University of Kentucky football program,” Brooks said in the release. “Situations of this type are totally unacceptable on our football team, but, at the same time, this is the first incident of any negative nature he has had while on campus since last summer. He will be given counseling as well as the understanding that any transgression in the future will be met with dismissal from the football team. We are in the process of trying to take young men from teenagers to responsible adults and I take that task very seriously. We understand there will be ongoing legal deliberations in this case as well as pending University student conduct discussions. We expect to comply fully with all of their findings. There will be no further comment until all the legal issues are resolved.”

Wilson was suspended indefinitely from the team two weeks ago after striking a girl in the face on the Monday, Sept. 14. He returned to practice this week, at which point Brooks said his situation would be evaluated going forward.

Stay tuned to 50.63.25.108 for more updates as they become available and for updates on the UK vs. Florida game.