Michael Bonner

The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State wide receiver Fred Brown has been dismissed from the university as a result of violating the student honor code, a source told the Clarion-Ledger on Thursday.

MSU confirmed that Brown is no longer a student at the university. There was no further information regarding the dismissal at this time.

Brown missed Mississippi State's scrimmage last weekend with what coach Dan Mullen referred to as a family matter.

Mississippi State's honor code pertains to academics. It states, "I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”

Violations of the student honor code include:

Cheating: "Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials;"

Fabrication: "Making up data or results and recording or reporting them;"

Falsification: "Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data...such that the research or academic work is not accurately represented;"

Multiple Submission: "The submission of substantial portions of the same work (including oral reports for credit more than once;"

Plagiarism: "The appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit;"

Complicity: "Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help, another to commit an act of academic dishonesty,"

Violation of Department or College Rules: "Students may not violate any announced department or college rule relating to academic matters including, but not limited to, abuse or misuse of computer access or information in any academic exercise."

According to MSU policy, the Honor Code Council has the authority to remove a student from the university, even for first offenses.

Brown was entering his fifth season with the program. He caught 27 passes last year and finished third on the team with 412 yards and three touchdowns. The dismissal leaves Mississippi State without its top four wide receivers from last year during the spring. Fred Ross is out with a groin injury. De'Runnya Wilson declared for the NFL Draft. Donald Gray is out with a knee injury.

Young, inexperienced wideouts have dominated the reps during spring. Jesse Jackson and Jonnas Spivey, who stand 6-feet or taller, are the most likely replacements for Brown on the outside. Neither has a career reception. Mississippi State has also moved Gabe Myles from his normal slot receiver spot to the outside The Bulldogs coaching staff also experimented with Jamal Peters, a safety, playing wide receiver because of the lack of numbers at the position.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBonner on Twitter.

