COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT / AROUND THE NATION : Former Iowa Player Accused of Blackmail
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A former Iowa player whose departure from the team was followed by his allegations of NCAA rules violations has been charged with trying to blackmail the school into giving him back his scholarship.
Ryan Loftin, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound linebacker who started all 11 games last season but had been moved to the second team this year before he quit, was arrested and charged Saturday with felony extortion and misdemeanor fifth-degree theft.
The Des Moines Sunday Register reported that first-year Coach Kirk Ferentz received a letter, signed with the name Ryan Loftin, that threatened a media smear campaign against the coach, allegations of NCAA violations and the sharing of Hawkeye secrets with opponents.
The theft charge involves notebooks, believed to be Iowa playbooks taken from Ferentz’s office.
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