Southern Miss coach waiting for more info on Craft

~ Bower still is seeking details related to a recent arrest of the former Central football player.

The status of Central High School graduate Mitch Craft in relation to the Southern Mississippi football team still has not been determined.

Craft, a redshirt sophomore linebacker at Southern Miss, was arrested last week on a vandalism charge for allegedly breaking a vehicle's windshield and an apartment door and window.

But law enforcement officials in Hattiesburg, Miss., have released no further details of the case and a court date has not been set.

In the days immediately after the arrest of Craft and former Southern Miss football player Antwon Courington, Golden Eagles head coach Jeff Bower said he was reserving judgment until more is known about the situation.

"I won't comment until I know a little bit more about what happened," Bower told the Hattiesburg American. "I'm still trying to figure out what happened."

More recently, Bower told the newspaper, "Nothing's changed."

Craft, who is out on $2,500 bond, was a backup during his 2005 redshirt freshman season, recording one tackle in four games.

However, according to the Hattiesburg American, Craft was showered with praise from the Southern Miss coaching staff for having a strong spring this year.

Craft started the Black and Gold spring game and finished with 4 1/2 tackles and one sack. He was expected to seriously contend for a starting position this season.