Michigan State’s fall camp hit an unwelcome snag this week, and it centers on projected starting guard Nick Sharpe.
According to Connor Earegood of The Detroit News, Bath Township police are investigating a sexual assault allegation against Sharpe involving a woman from Texas who allegedly visited him. The report says the situation is believed to have taken place in July.
The details of the accusation are behind a subscription paywall, but the case is still in its early stages. Sharpe has reportedly been cooperative, and he believes he is innocent. In his account, Sharpe said the encounter was consensual.
Sharpe has continued practicing with the team, which suggests Michigan State is waiting for the investigation to run its course before making a decision on the transfer offensive lineman. Still, once a report like this becomes public, it puts the program in a tough spot fast.
If Sharpe is ultimately held out of games, the Spartans would likely need Luka Vincic and Andrew Dennis to step into bigger roles. That would be a significant hit for an offense that had been stacking positive headlines all through camp.
Pat Fitzgerald now has to manage a situation that goes well beyond football. Even if Sharpe remains active for the moment, the report ensures this will be a major talking point until the investigation is complete. Fitzgerald will need to keep the team locked in and limit the distraction while the allegations play out.
For now, Michigan State is in wait-and-see mode. And that is far from an ideal place to be in East Lansing.
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