“He'll be a competitive player for us”: LSU HC Brian Kelly announces the return of CB Javien Toviano who was suspended following arrest

Brian Kelly has announced that cornerback Javien Toviano will be returning to play for the LSU Tigers. This comes after he was suspended from the team following his arrest by the authorities on July 21.

The cornerback has already reported back to the campus and was present during the team's first preseason practice. He did not participate in the drills on the first day but is expected to start doing it soon. Kelly hoped that Toviano would be a competitive player for the team in the upcoming season.

Here is what the LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly had to say about Javien Toviano’s return.

"He was suspended from the university and was reinstated. He's back in football activities. We'll kind of get him going again, back in the mix. He'll be a competitive player for us; he played for us last year,” Kelly told reporters on Thursday (per houmatoday).

NCAA Football: Heisman Trophy Presentation - Source: Imagn: Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference in the Astor ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis after quarterback Jayden Daniels (not pictured) wins the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly also stated that the team would get him going while he continues to work through his legal tangles. Toviano appeared in all 13 games for the Tigers last season and put up some decent numbers. He finished the season with 30 tackles and defended one pass.

The legal issues started last month when Toviano was arrested on the charge of video voyeurism. The case remains under review while the cornerback prepares for the upcoming season.

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The arrest of Javien Toviano

Javien Toviano was arrested on July 21 when a woman accused him of recording intimate moments without her consent. The woman told the authorities that she found a video of the two on the cornerback's iPad after telling him she did not want to be recorded. According to the report, he allegedly filmed the video through a clock with a built-in camera placed near the bed.

NCAA Football: Florida at Louisiana State - Source: Imagn: Nov 11, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers safety Javien Toviano (25) recovers a fumble against the Florida Gators during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The player was suspended from the team on the day of his arrest before being reinstated just before the preseason practice. According to the warrant that led to his arrest, he admitted to recording through a hidden camera during his interrogation with the detectives.