It's a damn good question, though I'm not sure Ricky would have had the same red flags that some of the kids Mack's been avoiding have.

For one thing, Ricky didn't have any grade issues. For another, he didn't have any prior track record of trouble with the law. That means for Mack to pass on Williams, he'd have to have some special knowledge of Ricky's dope smoking habits. Would that kind of thing be something coaches knew?

It's hard to say, but if Williams were a well-known pot smoker, I'd guess that Mack would think long and hard before offering that scholarship. Remember, Brown recently passed on a guy that some believe is the state's top tailback prospect. The issue was grades - not pot - but it proved that Mack isn't just paying lip service to his policy.

Again, though - fascinating topic. I've been applauding Mack for making the wise decision to pass on trouble kids, but it's damn hard to imagine applauding your coach passing up Ricky Williams.

so I'll avoid the whole poitical issue and legal issues surrounded by the NFL and their testing methods.

However, as PB noted, this is where it really heats up for Longhorns - how will Ricky's issues affect the 40 acres.

To start with, Mack did not bring Ricky to Texas, he kept him here for his senior year.  Mack was trying to win fans back to the program and that was clearly a fast way to do it in his first year.  He is clearly not in the same position today.

However, to PB's point, Ricky was not a character-problem player.  If anything, Ricky was the kind of player Mack loves at the collegiate level... he was a hard worker with a strong passion for Texas, Football and Life.  He's a friendly guy who had desires to be an elementary school teacher in his post-football career.  He was well liked by teammates and oh by the way, was a heck of a football player.

Thus, I tend to say Mack would still want Ricky on his team.  While I haven't seen (but haven't been looking) any formal response from Mack on Ricky's latest setback, I would also guess that Mack will continue to stand behind him with the old, "He's so important to us and we hope he gets his issues resolved."

Regardless, Ricky goes down as one of my favorite Horns with one of the most spectacular plays, seasons and careers of a Longhorn I have ever witnessed.  Hook 'em.