The national spotlight is on WSU football and the various players that have had run-ins with the law and academic regulations.

When the 2009 roster was released Saturday, three names – Cornerbacks Romeo Pellum and Devin Giles and receiver Michael Willis Jr. – were conspicuously absent.

None of the 13 WSU football coaches or coordinators were available Wednesday to comment on the matter.

“I think that our program has made a turn and there are some positive changes made and we’re heading in a positive direction,” said Joe Nickell, assistant director of WSU Media Relations. “I think Coach Wulff has a plan in place. I think they’re taking a turn and good things are happening with the team.” Though Wulff would not disclose the rules broken by the three players, many of the problems faced by the players have surfaced in the public record.

Willis Jr. was arrested April 11 and charged with driving under the influence, though Wulff said the incident was one of many factors in the decision. As for Giles, who missed spring football the past two years while battling academic problems, Wulff said educational shortcomings were also one of many factors that led to the release.

For Pellum, accusations dating back to February of breaking into a teammate’s dorm room and stealing electronics may have contributed to the team’s decision to release the player along with an April citation for driving with a suspended license. Also involved in the alleged break-in and theft incident were defensive backs Tyrone Justin and Kevin Frank. The three are facing felony charges.

“I felt like I was treated unfairly with that whole situation,” Pellum said. “I was suspended for the whole spring. If you read those charges that happened back in February, it’s pretty self-explanatory what we were suspended for.” Pellum said because he was treated unfairly and not given a second chance, he elected to depart both the team and the university to pursue other football opportunities.

“(The coaches) are untrustworthy and I don’t want to be a part of the Wulff era,” he said. “I wouldn’t say all of the coaches, but a handful.” Pellum also said the team’s strict and unfair nature became evident after he witnessed the suspension of five players, four being reinstated, and three charged legally.

Two other players, safeties Tyree Toomer and LeAndre Daniels, were arrested in June on burglary charges of stealingbicycles, but will remain with the team following a suspension. Wulff said Toomer and Daniels must complete team-related discipline but are no longer suspended from team activities.

Pellum said he parted ways with the team on good terms and received a letter of recommendation from both Wulff and Assistant Coach Jody Sears.

“It was fun while it lasted,” Pellum said. “I got a lot of playing time. I feel like I was the best corner on the team and a lot of people felt that way. I’m ready to go to another school and start camp there. I gotta chase my dream. It’s just an obstacle I gotta overcome.”