A grand jury returned a “no bill,” Friday, Sept. 13, regarding the case of two former UNA football players who were charged with first-degree rape in March, UNA police Chief Bob Pastula said.

Deandre Harrison, 19, and Eddrick Harris, 20, were both suspended from the university and the football team following the alleged incident in Rivers Hall on March 10. The grand jury’s no-bill decision means the case against the students has been dropped, Pastula said.

UNA Sports Information officials said they received confirmation of the no-bill decision from Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly.

After repeated attempts to reach the DA’s office, The Flor-Ala was unable to get confirmation regarding the no-bill decision.

The two students were re-enrolled in April following a university student conduct hearing, said Director of Student Conduct Kim Greenway.

“You can assume the outcome of the case, based on the fact that the summary suspension was lifted for both young men and they are now re-enrolled at the university,” she said in an earlier interview with The Flor-Ala.

A preliminary hearing took place on Friday, May 3, according to reports from the circuit clerk’s office.

For the fall 2013 semester Harris is not enrolled in classes at UNA, but Harrison is currently enrolled, said Athletic Director Mark Linder.

Harrison has been practicing with the football team and will be eligible to play on Saturday, Sept. 21 against Delta State University, said Head Coach Bobby Wallace.

“(Harrison) is now in good standing with the team,” he said.

Linder and Wallace spoke about Harrison’s playing status and have sent the proper paperwork to the NCAA so he can be eligible, Linder said.

“We are processing his paperwork for him to be eligible to play on Saturday,” Linder said.

Harrison has not played in a game this season, due to the pending outcome of the case. This statute is set in place by the rules in the UNA Student Athlete Handbook, Linder said.

“I am real happy for those kids,” Wallace said. “It was a tough situation.”

Linder declined to comment on his feelings toward the outcome of the case.

It is not likely that Harrison will see playing time against Delta State, because of the depth at the position he plays, Wallace said.

“We have five defensive tackles who are playing well right now,” Wallace said.

Harrison is a 5’11,” 265-pound redshirt defensive tackle from Lithonia, Ga.

News Editor Pace Holdbrooks contributed to this report.