Michigan Football's Star Lineman Pleads Guilty To Weapons Charge

MICHIGAN — A Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor weapons charge.

Mazi Smith, 21, was originally charged with carrying a concealed weapon after officers found a gun in his car during a traffic stop in Ann Arbor on Oct. 7. Police said Smith was driving north of 50 miles per hour in the area of King George and Lockridge Drive, where the speed limit is 25.

Smith accepted the plea deal to a lesser charge: attempted possession of a loaded firearm in or upon a motor vehicle, which is a misdemeanor count punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail.

Smith's sentencing is set for Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. in 15th District Court.

Police said Smith was carrying a Glock 19 firearm, a 30-round magazine, a 24-round magazine and a 15-round magazine when he was pulled over by officers for speeding.

Although the gun was legally registered to Smith, he did not have the concealed pistol license, or CPL, which is necessary to have the gun in his vehicle.

Smith told officers he was in the process of obtaining his CPL during the traffic stop, but did not secure it yet. He has since obtained his CPL.

Even though officers said they stopped Smith for driving more than twice the speed limit, they never ticketed Smith for speeding.

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh never suspended the star defensive lineman, as Smith has played in every Michigan game since, including last Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game.

"Mazi was completely honest, upfront, cooperative," Harbaugh said. "Felt like he gave us the exact circumstances."