OPELIKA, Alabama -- Three of four former Auburn players accused of armed robbery applied for youthful offender status today at the Lee County Circuit Court.

Antonio Goodwin and Shaun Kitchens made brief appearances in court before being interviewed by probation officers to determine their suitability for the status, which would seal records in the case and allow the defendants to avoid prison time if certain conditions are met.

Dakota Mosley did not appear in court, but his lawyer indicated that he would also apply for the status.

The three former players will appear before a judge on May 31 for a youthful offender hearing that is likely to be closed to the public.

Mike McNeil, the fourth former player who allegedly participated in the March 11 robbery, is not eligible for youthful offender treatment. He entered a written not guilty plea and waived his arraignment.

The four players were dismissed from the football team shortly after their arrest for allegedly robbing a trailer home in the Conway Acres trailer park off Wire Road in Auburn.

Online court records indicate prosecutors plan to oppose youthful offender status for the players, although such opposition is routine, particularly for serious felonies.

Neither Kitchens nor Goodwin commented to the media upon entering the Lee County Justice Center. They left through a side door and rode off in a truck driven by their bail bondsman.

The four players were indicted earlier this month on five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of third-degree theft of property. Mosley also faces an additional misdemeanor count of conspiracy to hinder business.