Former Texas wide receiver Kendall Sanders has been found not guilty of the sexual assault charge that resulted in his July 2014 dismissal from the Longhorn football program.

According to Ryan Autullo of the Austin American-Statesman, who covered the trial this week in a Travis County courtroom, the jury deliberated for nearly five hours before finding Sanders not guilty. Sanders' attorney, Brian Roark, presented the jury with 37 inconsistent statements made by Sanders' accuser.

Sanders faced up to 20 years in prison had he been convicted. Sanders and Montrel Meander, who's scheduled to have his case go to trial in the near future, were dismissed by Charlie Strong prior to the 2014 season after charges were levied against both Texas receivers stemming from the act in question.

Kendall Sanders says he does not blame Charlie Strong for kicking him off the team. He understands why it happened. — Ryan Autullo (@AutulloAAS) October 16, 2015



Sanders would've been a senior for the Longhorns this season. A former U.S. Army All-American, Sanders has one year of eligibility remaining, but he told Autullo after the verdict was handed down that he'd like to petition the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility.

Sanders also said he'd like a chance to be back at Texas.

Kendall Sanders tells me "I'd love to go back to UT." Says he has a lot of options; has one year of eligibility but will petition for two. — Ryan Autullo (@AutulloAAS) October 16, 2015



