Mizell dismissed from Washington State football team

PULLMAN – Linebacker C.J. Mizell has been dismissed from the Washington State football team for a violation of team policy, the school announced Tuesday. Mizell was arrested Sunday night on allegations of fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespassing stemming from a fight at a fraternity party early Sunday morning, according to Pullman Police. A statement from WSU said that Mizell is “not being retained.” Pullman Police Sergeant Dan Dornes said police were called at approximately 12:24 a.m. after Mizell allegedly tried to enter a party at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house. When Mizell was denied entry, he allegedly “punched one of the guys several times,” Dornes said. Mizell fled the scene but was arrested Sunday, cited, booked and released. Fourth-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespassing are both misdemeanors. He is scheduled to be arraigned on both charges Feb. 21 in Whitman County District Court. Mizell, who came to WSU from Tallahassee, Fla., recorded 56 tackles in nine starts as a sophomore last season. He started 15 games in his WSU career. His dismissal follows a WSU career marked by turmoil. Perhaps the most athletically gifted member of the Cougars defense, Mizell frustrated coaches with his lacking work ethic during his freshman year, but appeared to be turning things around last season until injuries slowed him. Then, after WSU lost 38-21 to Washington to end the season, coach Paul Wulff said that at halftime, Mizell “chose to put his sweats on,” an indication that his future with the program may have been in jeopardy had Wulff been retained. The Cougars’ current roster lists nine linebackers, not including the five players listed as linebackers who signed national letters of intent last week.