Mizzou DB Aarion Penton reinstated, will start vs. Tennessee
Missouri Tigers cornerback Aarion Penton has been fully reinstated to the team, according to head coach Gary Pinkel at his weekly press conference on Monday.
The sophomore was arrested on Nov. 7 for suspicion of possession of marijuana. It was later revealed that he was cited for 35 grams or less of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor in Columbia, Mo.
Penton’s arrest in early November was his second arrest this year. He was abruptly suspended indefinitely by the school per the university’s policy and missed one game.
Pinkel did not expound any further on Penton’s disciplinary status.
Now that he is back with the team, Penton is slated to return to his starting cornerback spot against Tennessee this weekend and was listed atop Missouri’s depth chart.
With the emergence of Vols’ quarterback Josh Dobbs, Penton’s return brings some much-needed stability to the Tigers’ secondary as Missouri fights for a spot in the SEC Championship.
Penton has 30 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups on the season.