CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois defense added a player Friday with previously suspended linebacker Julian Jones cleared to return to practice.
The decision to allow the sophomore-to-be back on the team was made by Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, coach Lovie Smith and campus officials, according to UI Sports Information Director Kent Brown.
Jones played in eight of the first nine games in 2015, recording three tackles. He was suspended indefinitely by then-coach Bill Cubit in mid-November pending an investigation into an alleged crime committed by Jones in Georgia. The alleged crime occurred during the team’s open week in October, with Jones getting arrested on Nov.