Panthers defensive standout arrested

By Joey Knight
Published March 28, 2007

TAMPA - Former Plant cornerback Chris Kuzdale, the Times' all-Hillsborough defensive player of the year in 2006, was arrested early Saturday morning in Pinellas County on battery and marijuana possession charges.

Kuzdale, 18, was arrested by St. Pete Beach police on one felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor possession charge. He was booked at 4:08 a.m. Saturday and released 11 hours later on $10,250 bond.

A phone message left at Kuzdale's home in Lutz wasn't immediately returned Tuesday. Panthers coach Bob Weiner said he had been told of Kuzdale's arrest Tuesday but knew none of the details.

The arrest comes less than four months after Kuzdale's electrifying performance in the Class 4A playoffs, which ended with Plant's first state title.

He returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a third-round playoff win against Armwood, picked off another the following week against Miami Washington and had two more in the state final against Ponte Vedra Beach Nease.

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 00:26:18]