Top returning receiver Harrison charged with assault

NEWARK – Jerel Harrison, the top returning wide receiver on the University of Delaware football team, was charged with first-degree assault after a fight in the locker room Thursday evening, UD officials said Friday.

According to UD police, Harrison struck a teammate with a helmet. The victim, whom UD has not identified, was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he was treated and released.

The incident occurred after practice at the conclusion of the first week of preseason camp heading toward Delaware’s Sept. 4 opener against Jacksonville (Fla.) at Delaware Stadium.

Harrison was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Facility on $25,000 cash bail. He was also issued a no contact order with the victim and the university, and a trespass warning for the campus, according to UD.

A senior from Richmond, Virginia, Harrison had caught 31 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns last year, with the latter two figures highest among returning players. He had 81 career catches for 993 yards and eight TDs.

He also frequently ran the ball, adding a crucial element to the UD offense by carrying 32 times the last two years for 258 yards — a 7.6-yard average — and one touchdown.

According to the UD athletics website, Harrison is an honor student as a history major with a minor in restaurant management.

Because of UD policy, Delaware coach Dave Brock was prohibited from discussing the incident. But he was asked about its effect on the football team after Friday night’s first scrimmage of preseason.

“From a general thought process, any adversity that you have that’s going to impact the whole team,” Brock said, “you’ve got to have a nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic, you’ve got to put blinders on and you’ve got to go forward. This game is and always will be about the next guy up and put yourself in a position to go compete.”

Contact Jason Levine at jlevine@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @ @jasonlev

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.