SEC ‘aware’ of MSU ruling, but not ‘comfortable’

2:46 PM ET

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Friday disputed the characterization of Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin as the league office being “comfortable” with the university’s decision to allow Jeffery Simmons to enroll and play football for the Bulldogs.

“I would say awareness and comfort are two different things,” Sankey said. “It is an institutional decision. The characterization of comfort with (Mississippi State’s) decision is not a characterization I would provide.”

Editor’s PicksMiss. St. allows Simmons entry, with stipulations

Jeffery Simmons, who was charged with simple assault in March, has been allowed to enroll at Mississippi State and play for the Bulldogs, but with stipulations.

Amount that Mississippi State learned from Baylor? Zero

By allowing top recruit Jeffery Simmons to enroll — and be suspended for only one game — the Bulldogs are sending the worst possible message, especially in the wake of Baylor’s demise.

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Simmons, a defensive end prospect who signed with the Bulldogs in February, was arrested in March and charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace after a video emerged on social media that appeared to show him hitting a woman several times after she fell to the ground. He is still awaiting legal resolution of the incident.

Sankey said he has seen the video.

On Thursday, Mississippi State allowed Simmons to enroll and play football, but with conditions attached — including a one-game suspension served in the season opener. Among the conditions, Simmons “will be evaluated by the licensed professionals at the university’s Student Counseling Services and be …

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