USU football players; Natson and Butler available to play

LOGAN — Utah State head football coach Matt Wells said Monday, two team members facing separate misdemeanor charges will be available to play.

Wells made his comments about 20-year-old Bruce “Jo Jo” Natson and 22-year-old Ronald Butler during media day, hours after Natson pleaded guilty to theft charges in 1st District Court.

Without stating specifics, Wells said there are some discipline issues going on in the team.

“I’m in a business that is mentoring and coaching young men,” said Wells. Sometimes they make really good decisions and sometimes they make a decision that is not so good and it’s poor.”

Monday morning, Natson pleaded guilty to diverting school funds, intended for a fellow teammate to another bank account, a class B misdemeanor. He was sentenced to serve two-days in jail, pay a $500 fine and will be placed on probation.

Butler was arrested in July, accused of driving under the influence and improper lane change, both class B misdemeanors.

Wells said dealing with player’s problems is part of the drill, being a coach and he’ll provide more details at a later date.

“You know honestly,” said Wells. “It’s a little bit ongoing right now and until things come out, that I’ll share with you later then we’ll do that at the appropriate time.”

Butler is a senior wide receiver who played 13 games last season, recording 24 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns.

Natson is a junior wide receiver who also played as a punt returner last season, averaging 11.3 yards per return. He earned honorable mention all-Mountain West honors and was ranked fourth in the conference and 22nd in the nation.

Utah State will open the 2014 season on Sunday, August 31 at Tennessee.

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