ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

A judge in Minnesota ruled Wednesday that former Golden Gophers star Dominic Jones would not be allowed to leave the state to participate at Ohio State's Pro Day on Friday. 

Jones, a standout safety and kick/punt returner for Minnesota in 2006, recently completed an eight-month sentence in a workhouse after being convicted of fourth-degree sexual assault in April. But Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum said Jones, a Columbus, Ohio, native, could not return home until he completes his sex offender assessment and begins treatment. 

The issue here is whether the court is simply following standard protocol or preventing Jones from pursuing a pro football career. Jones' conviction stems from a truly despicable act, but he hasn't had any transgressions since his arrest in July 2007.

"[Defense attorney Earl Gray] said Jones had 'proven himself all throughout this proceeding' and now wanted one 'slight break' to return to Ohio, participate in the tryouts, and see his mother and his son. He initially asked that Jones be allowed to leave Thursday and return Sunday. He later asked that he be allowed to leave Thursday and return Friday.

Assistant County Attorney Marlene Senechal, who heads the violent crimes division, argued that Jones should not be allowed to go because he is an 'untreated sex offender' and his chances of playing in the NFL are 'unrealistic.' She said, 'It would be inappropriate for him to leave the state.'"

Unless Senechal doubles as an NFL scout, her statement about Jones' NFL potential is ridiculous. She doesn't know how he'll perform at pro day. But I also wonder why Jones can't participate in Minnesota's pro day. That way, he wouldn't need to leave the state. 

There's also this interesting nugget:

"Throughout the case, Rosenbaum has shown no affinity for the defense. She rarely has acknowledged or greeted Jones in court, and most of her rulings have favored the prosecution. She declined to allow into evidence at trial the fact that Jones' victim had sex with three other players that night. None of them has been charged."