SAN DIEGO — San Diego State redshirt freshman Zavier Leonard's name was removed from the football team's roster Saturday, two days after the offensive lineman was one of three SDSU players named in a lawsuit by a young woman alleging she was gang raped at an off-campus party last October.
Asked about the roster move, SDSU's sports media relations department released a one-sentence statement: "Regarding Zavier Leonard: He is no longer on the roster or participating in team activities."
Leonard's name was made public — along with former punter Matt Araiza and former defensive lineman Nowlin "Pa'a" Ewaliko — Thursday in the civil suit suit by the woman, who was 17 years old at the time of the alleged incident.
Leonard's attorney, Jamahl Kersey, declined comment earlier this week and was not immediately available to comment Saturday after the roster change.
Leonard, a redshirt freshman from Arlington, Texas, came out of spring practice competing with sophomore Jonathan Harrison for the starting position at left tackle.
He has worked out in a backup role at guard and tackle. Leonard suffered an unspecified injury last week and did not participate in an Aug. 20 scrimmage at Snapdragon Stadium.
Leonard was at practice as recently as Wednesday but was not at Thursday's practice. A school official said that day that Leonard was not participating in team activities, although he was still on the roster until Saturday.
Ewaliko, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman from Seattle, was included on SDSU's 2022 roster dated July 18, but was no longer with the program when preseason camp opened Aug. 5.
Hoke did not provide a reason that day for the departure of Ewaliko — who decided to leave the program before camp began — saying only "he's not with us anymore."
Ariaza is now a punter for the Buffalo Bills. He effectively earned the starting job Monday when the Bills released former punter Matt Haack, although Araiza did not dress for Friday's preseason game at Carolina.
The Aztecs, who were not scheduled to practice over the weekend, begin game week preparations Monday for Saturday afternoon's season opener against Arizona. It will be the first game at SDSU's new Snapdragon Stadium.
