Linebacker A.J. Johnson, who played at Gainesville High and Tennessee, had his invitation to the scouting combine rescinded after he was indicted on rape charges on Thursday.
Johnson served as a ball boy for the Atlanta Falcons while in high school.
NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed Friday to the Associated Press that the league withdrew its invitation to Johnson. He had been on the list of invited players that was released last week. The combine starts Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Knoxville police named Johnson and suspended Tennessee defensive back Michael Williams as subjects of a rape investigation in November.
Tom Dillard, the lawyer representing Johnson, hasn’t responded to the Associated Press’ messages seeking an update on Johnson's situation.
Johnson was suspended from Tennessee's team the day before he was identified as one of the subjects in the rape investigation. Johnson, who is projected as a seventh round pick by NFLDraftScout.com, has since graduated.
Johnson was a four-star recruit and was named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 team as a senior in 2010.
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