Oregon Ducks football reinstates Traeshon Holden after brief dismissal

Traeshon Holden is now back with the Oregon Ducks football team after having been reinstated.

The Oregon Ducks are getting wide receiver Traeshon Holden back after having previously been dismissed from the football program.

Holden has been reinstated after new evidence emerged stemming from his Feb. 15 arrest. The Lane County District Attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute the transfer wide receiver. Body cam footage and interviews with people in the know after the fact conflicted with the initial reports by the Eugene Police Department on the night of the incident in question involving Holden.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning issued a statement Friday to welcome Holden back to the team.

"“Following the release of new information from the Lane County District Attorney’s office, student-athlete Traeshon Holden has been reinstated to the Oregon football team. We will always take allegations of this nature very seriously. However, when new information is provided by authorities, such as in this instance, disciplinary action will be reevaluated and adjusted, when appropriate.”"

Holden had been arrested in the early hours of Feb. 15 on charges of “felony unlawful of a weapon and coercion and misdemeanor menacing.” The charges were later dropped on account of Holden having made a serious attempt to de-escalate the situation involving his girlfriend that would have merited grounds for a self-defense argument, if it ultimately came to that. Thankfully, it did not.

Here is what Holden said through his lawyer after being reinstated by the Oregon football team.

"“I’m happy to have been exonerated, and I’m looking forward to a great season with the Ducks.”"

Holden comes to Eugene after having played his first few seasons of college ball over at Alabama.

Traeshon Holden reinstated by Oregon Ducks football team after charges were dropped

This is fantastic news for both Holden personally and his football career. Although things may not have worked out for him at Alabama, Oregon is a West Coast power more than capable of getting to Rose Bowls, conference championships and earning College Football Playoff berths. With Bo Nix garnering serious Heisman Trophy vibes this time, let’s bank on the Yellowhammer connection!

Oregon could pull back with Kenny Dillingham leaving Eugene to take over at his alma mater of Arizona State, but the Ducks feel like they will remain a 10-win program for as long as Lanning coaches there. Even if the league is in a complete era of disarray with USC and UCLA leaving, as well as its existence in question, the Pac-12 should have at least one last good year of football.

No matter what becomes of the Pac-12, Oregon is going to be fine. It is a huge West Coast brand with Nike money attached to it. This is a place where football players from all over the country come together and flourish. Thankfully, Holden can put what had to have been a rather embarrassing moment for him behind him, as he looks to focus on nothing but ball going forward.

Let it be known than an 11-1 Pac-12 champion Oregon team is making the playoff this season.

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