to the accusations prior to the draft Eric Ebron Jersey , and they conducted their own investigation before selecting him." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteStampede Bluean Indianapolis Colts communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsColtsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Colts StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Colts NewsYahoo Colts Team PageYahoo Colts ReportYahoo Colts Depth ChartYahoo Colts TransactionsYahoo Colts PhotosShop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Colts draft pick Bobby Okereke was cleared of sexual assault in 2015New,132commentsThe rookie linebacker alerted the Colts to the accusations prior to the draft, and they conducted their own investigation before selecting him.EDTShareTweetShareShareColts draft pick Bobby Okereke was cleared of sexual assault in 2015Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesWith pick number 89, the Colts drafted linebacker Bobby Okereke out of Stanford in the 2019 draft. The early comparisons for Okereke, in terms of his athletic profile, were to first-year standout Darius Leonard. They have similar athletic profiles and measurables. What’s more, Okereke is the kind of player the Colts have consistently looked for in terms of character. An Eagle Scout and team captain at Stanford, Okereke even had an internship for former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. All of this speaks to a history of good character and leadership. So when a tip came across our news desk at Stampede Blue about Okereke’s possible involvement in a 2015 sexual assault cause, we had to weigh very carefully how to report it. These cases are always tough, because we bring our own experiences and perspectives to the story, even when we try to provide unbiased reporting. Sexual assault is a very serious issue, and claiming to be an organization that values character puts you in the spotlight when things like this come up. Okereke’s history as a high-character player certainly doesn’t make him impervious to such an act. You can’t acquit someone of a charge simply because they haven’t done anything like it before. However, a track record that stands in stark contrast to such an allegation prompts a close look at the source and accusations. Those accusations come from The Fountain Hopper, an anonymous email-based student publication which serves Stanford University, where Okereke attended and played football. In it, they allege that Okereke was the player written about in a New York Times story detailing a case where an unnamed Stanford football player was accused of sexual assault and brought before the school’s in-house disciplinary board. The Colts confirmed this with Chris Ballard’s conference call today.In that story, 3 of 5 panelists concluded that the football player who we now know was Bobby Okereke had committed sexual assault. However, Stanford’s system in place requires a 4-1 ruling to determine guilt of a suspect, instead of a simple majority. In short, Okereke was determined not to be guilty by means of the standards set forth by the university’s investigative process. There was not a criminal investigation in this case, so the internal investigation and subsequent appeal acted as the final word on the player’s innocence.Beyond anonymous tips and speculation Matt Slauson Color Rush Jersey , the Fountain Hopper article does not provide any details which clearly indicate a serious miscarriage of justice. While it is certainly possible that additional information is out there, working with what we have simply doesn’t provide adequate information to condemn Okereke.What results is a he said/she said situation in which we don’t have real answers, just emotional responses fueled by people who have been on both sides of that argument or who have vested interests there. Without actual concrete evidence one way or the other, it is tough to come down on either side and confidently say it is right. The Colts did their best to be as educated as possible about the situation prior to the draft, and felt comfortable enough in their findings to make the selection. INDIANAPOLIS 鈥?The Indianapolis Colts‘ defense was reeling early this season.After six games, it had allowed an average of 30 points, had given up 37 or more points in three consecutive losses, was languishing near the bottom of the league's overall rankings and showed no sign of a turnaround.Today, those performances are almost unrecognizable. Though the names remain essentially unchanged, the Colts overcame that dismal start and have emerged as one of the NFL's stingiest units and a key cog in Indy's playoff run."We feel good, we've been rolling," rookie linebacker Darius Leonard said. "We just want to keep it going. We want to keep everything rolling." Leonard and his teammates face their biggest challenge yet in Saturday's divisional-round game at Kansas City. But the timing couldn't be better for a young, suddenly sturdy defense that still has plenty to prove.Over the past six weeks, the Colts have given up 12.0 points per game, posted their first shutout in four years and ascended to No. 11 in the rankings. But many wonder whether the defense can hold up against the league's highest-scoring team.So far, Indy (11-6) has passed every test. The defense has played a vital role in two five-game winning streaks. Indy is one of two teams that have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season and have had at least one turnover in 16 of 17 games.Outsiders have noticed the turnaround by a unit once regarded as a weak link."I think the players have bought in and they play hard," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "They're accurate with their assignments."Reid isn't alone.Leonard, the league's leading tackler, was named first-team All-Pro last week, and first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus interviewed Sunday for the Cleveland Browns' head coaching job. Though he wasn't hired, the dramatic ascension could help Eberflus stay on the coaching radar.What's changed? Not much personnel-wise from opening day.Defensive tackle Al Woods and linebacker Skai Moore both wound up on injured reserve. Margus Hunt moved from defensive end to defensive tackle and Pierre Desir claimed one of the starting cornerback spots. Otherwise https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Anthony-Walker-Jersey , the lineup remained as consistent as Eberflus' message."When you keep doing the same things over and over again and you get good at the fundamentals of the game, then you can start adding a little bit to your package because the guys understand the basics," Eberflus said."You can never move on or never forget the basics of what your system is about. That to me is the hustle, the intensity, taking the ball away and being smart players."Eberflus, initially hired by Josh McDaniels and retained by Frank Reich after McDaniels backed out of the job, scrapped the 3-4 defensive front from previous coaching staff and installed the Tampa-2 preferred by general manager Chris Ballard.Reich was on board, too, remembering how the system helped the Colts win a Super Bowl during his first stint with the team.The scheme relies largely on speed and trust and was a perfect fit for a team trying to rebuild. Only three full-time starters returned in the same spot this season while a fourth, Jabaal Sheard, moved from outside linebacker to defensive end, but the simplicity shortened the learning curve for everyone, including the youngsters.And after six games, things started to mesh. Leonard became the breakout star, the pass rush became more consistent and the run defense tightened up."We go into this game knowing that we can beat the best," Leonard said. "Once you go in as an underdog, there's a lot more chips on your shoulder. It makes you want to play harder. It makes you want to win more."NOTES: Four-time Pro Bowl receiver T.Y. Hilton (ankle) is one of five players who did not practice Wednesday. The others are defensive tackle Denico Autry (shoulder), receiver Ryan Grant (toe), safety Malik Hooker (hip/foot) and defensive end Tyquan Lewis (knee). Hilton expects to play. … Tight end Eric Ebron (hip), receiver Dontrelle Inman (shoulder/finger) and Sheard (knee) were limited in practice.