Tommy Rees: Notre Dame QB Pleads Not Guilty to 4 Misdemeanor Charges

The verdict will soon be coming down for Tommy Rees.

On Thursday, the 19-year-old Notre Dame quarterback plead not guilty to four misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest earlier this month, according to the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton.

Rees was arrested on May 3 when he allegedly ran from the scene as police broke up an off-campus party. When police caught up to him, he allegedly had a confrontation with them that resulted in his arrest on one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.

According to Hamilton, prosecutors reduced a charge of felony battery on a police officer. 

Rees started 12 of 13 games for Notre Dame last season, compiling 2,871 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for the 8-5 Irish.

What It Means

The next status hearing for the case is scheduled for July 17—right in the middle of the summer, when Rees should be preparing for his junior campaign at the helm of the Irish.

Ever since 2007, the Irish have been desperately trying to reestablish themselves as one of the premiere institutions in college football and have struggled to do so. Rees certainly isn't helping. Will he even be permitted to stay on the team? It's hard to believe he would be if this case drags on for too long—or if he gets convicted. 

What Comes Next

The saga continues for the Irish quarterback, who'd probably like to have the verdict all squared away so he can begin focusing on how to help Notre Dame reclaim its position atop the BCS next season. Instead, this cloud will be hanging over him for most of the summer.

If this situation doesn't resolve itself soon, Brian Kelly is going to have a tough decision to make without a lot of experience behind Rees on the roster. Notre Dame director of football media relations Brian Hardin told Hamilton that Kelly wouldn't comment on Rees' appearance in court until he could "collect all the facts."