Soso Jamabo is a funny kid. His viral stunt, the one where the 28th-ranked football recruit in the country told WFAA that he'd narrowed his decision about where to play running back to ITT Tech and the University of Phoenix, showed a self-awareness that was refreshing in the absurd recruiting process that fuels big-time college football. Even though he decided eventually to go out of state, to UCLA rather than the University of Texas, it was hard not to root for the lightning-quick back from Plano West.
Now, after Jamabo was arrested Saturday night in Kaufman County, there's no telling when, or where, we'll get to see him play next.
Kemp police tell The Dallas Morning News that Jamabo was speeding on U.S. 175 just after 7 p.m. Saturday. When Officer Kenny Boyle tried to pull him over, Jamabo took off. He led Boyle on a five-to-seven-minute chase, the officer told the News, as he and his passengers chucked some of their cargo out the windows of the pickup Jamabo was driving.
Once Boyle caught Jamabo, the officer made the recruit get on the ground so he could handcuff him. Jamabo screamed "his life was over," police said.
UCLA hasn't said whether the school will cut Jamabo loose.
"We are aware of the reports out of Dallas regarding Sotonye Jamabo. We are obviously concerned about these reports and are currently gathering more information," Associate Athletic Director Josh Rupprecht said in a statement. "As this is a continuing process, we will withhold further comment until the appropriate time."
Despite police suspicions that Jamabo was driving under the influence -- cops said there was a bottle of alcohol in the truck -- he was only charged with evading arrest. Jamabo's three passengers were all cited and released. Plano West's prom was Saturday night, and there were formal clothes in the truck, police said.