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Posted: 12:36 PM- BYU freshman receiver Ryan Kessman asked for and was granted his release from the football program Friday morning.
Kessman was one of six freshmen suspended from practice Thursday night for a violation of team rules. BYU did not disclose the nature of the violations, and players and coaches are not made available to the media after Wednesday's practice.
"Ryan has expressed his desire to leave BYU, and we have granted his release and wish him well," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a statement released by the program.
Kessman's father, Steven, said his son was suspended for drinking a vanilla cappuccino, breaking curfew and missing a weightlifting workout.
In accordance with the BYU Honor Code, students must abstain from possessing, serving or consuming alcohol, tobacco, tea or coffee. Kessman is Jewish, but his father said he understood the rules before arriving at BYU.
"He knew going in what the Honor Code system was, but just didn't think it was that bad," Steven Kessman said. "So he went to Starbucks with his girlfriend and she wanted something to drink."
A source close to the team with knowledge of the situation said a player would not be suspended for just drinking coffee, and it was the accumulation of several factors that led to the suspension.
Freshmen David Angilau, Brannon Brooks, Ryan Love, Gary Nagy and G Pittman were the other freshmen suspended. Angilau, Brooks, Love, Kessman and Nagy were scout-team players slated to redshirt while Pittman injured his hip and is out for the season.
Kessman was an all-state and all-region receiver and running back at San Jacinto High in California. As a senior, he carried the ball 102 times for 1,134 yards.
Steven Kessman said his son was flying home on Friday night, and may visit UCLA this weekend.
"They were interested in him and wanted him to de-commit to BYU before offering him a scholarship, but Ryan was not willing to do that at the time," Steven Kessman said.