Do Not Taunt Happy Fun Carson Butler

Sigh. Michigan tight end Carson Butler's promising redshirt freshman season had Michigan fans all excited about his potential down the road, but now it looks like that potential will have to be uncovered in I-AA or, like, prison or something:

Two University of Michigan football players are accused of attacking a fellow student in the West Quad residence hall for no apparent reason on St. Patrick's Day. Carson Butler, 19, and Christian Richards III, 19, were arraigned today in 15th District Court on one count of aggravated assault and one count of assault and battery each.

They were released on $5,000 personal bond and have a pre-trial hearing March 27. The assault occurred in a West Quad dorm room at 6 p.m. Saturday, when the student said he was punched, said Diane Brown, a spokeswoman for the U-M Department of Public Safety. Brown said the student told police he did not know why he was targeted, and she said she had no evidence that the incident was alcohol-induced.

(Except, of course, that two people decided to kick the crap out of someone for no reason on St. Patrick's Day. Top o' the mornin' to ya.) Butler was already hanging by a thread as one of three players who Carr announced were neither injured nor practicing this spring. Carr declared the potential return of the three as "possible... maybe not probable," and this would have to be the last straw for Butler. The other offender is scrub defensive back Chris Richards. He's also probably gone, having this beauty on his record...

In addition to the charges stemming from Saturday's incident, Richards has another case pending. He was charged with illegal entry on campus last year. Richards failed to appear for his arraignment on that charge, and a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest.

...but no one expected him to ever do anything except cover kickoffs, so BFD. Butler's loss leaves Michigan very thin at tight end. Junior Pat Massey spent most of last year as a starter with mixed results, but beyond him there is no experience. This wouldn't be that much of a big deal except that Michigan spent 30-40% of its snaps in two-TE sets.