Oklahoma football: Misdemeanor charge against Jalen Saunders dropped

Defensive back Cortez Johnson, who was arrested with Saunders early Dec. 2, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession and will be placed on probation for six months.

The news was first reported by SoonerScoop.com, the Rivals site that covers OU.

Saunders and Johnson were arrested and charged after being pulled over early in the morning on Dec. 2 — hours after the Sooners’ regular-season finale win at TCU.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops waited until one week before the Cotton Bowl to announce whether Saunders would play, which he did; Saunders caught nine passes for 63 yards in the Sooners’ 41-13 loss to Texas A&M.

Saunders transferred to OU last May from Fresno State, and was expected to sit out this entire season, per NCAA rules. His waiver request for immediate eligibility was initially declined, but that decision was overturned on appeal days before Oklahoma’s fifth game of the season.