Longhorn Player Reinstated After DWI Dismissed

University of Texas Longhorn running back D.J. Monroe was reinstated Monday and will be able to play in the Citi BCS National Championship game on Jan. 7 against Alabama after his driving while intoxicated charge was dropped, according to news reports.

The 20-year-old freshman was arrested along IH-35 between Buda and Kyle early Nov. 15. On Friday, Monroe accepted a plea agreement to be charged with obstruction of a passageway, Hays County District Attorney Sherri Tibbe said.

On the lesser charge of obstruction of a passageway, Monroe received deferred adjudication, Tibbe said.

Monroe was pulled over after a Hays County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a silver 1996 Buick Park Avenue driving erratically around 1 a.m. on southbound IH-35, near mile marker 217, authorities say.

Monroe was placed into the Hays County Jail on a $3,000 bond and released the same day. The Longhorns immediately suspended Monroe indefinitely following the incident.

This season, Monroe has 20 rushes for 110 yards and 13 kickoff returns for 474 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns. He is the only player in school history to return two kickoffs for TDs in a season, according to the university website.