Auston Robertson Facing Misdemeanor Battery Charge, Reopens Recruitment

Auston Robertson, a 4-star defensive end from Fort Wayne, Indiana, will not sign with Michigan State on national signing day and will reopen his recruitment, he announced on Twitter:

Robertson, 18, is currently facing a misdemeanor battery charge in Fort Wayne, per Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press. It's unclear how much those charges are contributing to his delayed decision.   

The police report filed against Robertson last month indicates he was arrested on charges related to an October incident with a female classmate. The classmate claims that he touched her inappropriately while at school. The arrest was not made public until Wednesday. 

Robertson is considered the No. 101 recruit nationally and ninth-best weak-side defensive end in the 2016 class, per 247Sports. Listed at 6'5" and 260 pounds, he's one of the most physically ready players who's committed to Michigan State. 

This is Robertson's second brush with the law. He had charges of criminal mischief, damaging or defacing property and resisting arrest dismissed in September. Because of rules prohibiting coaches from commenting on recruits who have not committed, Spartans coach Mark Dantonio has not publicly said anything on the matter. 

Robertson gave his verbal to Dantonio last June and hadn't wavered until the final moments before he was due to sign. At the very least, the timing suggests one of the two parties decided it would be best to wait his legal situation out.

“What made Michigan State the right fit for me was every time I go up there it’s a family atmosphere,” Robertson said when committing, per Aubree Reichel of the Journal Gazette. "I have relationships with all the coaches who make it feel like a home to me. I’m blessed. I feel like I handled the process pretty well. I can contribute my pass-rushing abilities. I’m going to take my talents and really tear it up.”

Robertson previously considered Notre Dame and Ohio State in addition to Michigan State, but both schools had long since moved on.

247Sports' Crystal Ball metrics have not been adjusted since Robertson signed in East Lansing. He did not indicate which schools he'd be considering beyond Michigan State, so the Spartans still have to be considered a favorite. That said, he'll need to get his off-field problems in order before any other major college program takes a chance.

Robertson has until April 1 to sign a letter of intent if he wants to be eligible in 2016. 

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