7/6/2017 football Edit

Allen Artis Reinstated

With sexual battery charges dismissed, the defensive back-turned linebacker has re-joined the UNC football team. (AP)

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

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Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

Allen Artis has been reinstated to the North Carolina football team, multiple sources have confirmed to THI.

Artis, who last week had charges of sexual battery against a fellow UNC student dismissed, got the news Thursday he was back on the team.

“After conversations with Coach (Larry) Fedora and Allen, we have reinstated Allen to our football program immediately,” UNC Director of Athletics said in a statement Thursday.

Artis was charged with sexual battery against a female UNC student stemming from an incident at a party on Valentine’s Day in 2016. Artis was immediately dismissed from the team and hasn’t been a part of the program since his suspension, which occurred just two weeks into last season.

Originally a defensive back for the Tar Heels, Artis was moved to linebacker last August but only saw action on some special teams in the first two games.

"Allen has been looking forward to his reinstatement for a long time,” said Artis’ attorney, Kerry Sutton. “He has really missed being with his teammates and coaches and hopes to contribute to the team's success this season."

The Marietta, GA, native has one year of eligibility remaining but will apply for an additional year, given he lost a season due to the unfounded allegations.

"We met yesterday with UNC's NCAA compliance coordinator to request that Allen get the 2016-17 year of his eligibility back since he lost the season due to no fault of his own,” Sutton said. “If we succeed in that, it will be applied to the 2018 season."