CFB notebook: Ex-Rice DL charged in death of former teammate

Stuart Mouchantaf, a former defensive lineman at Rice, has been charged with manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance in connection with the death of Owls defensive end Blain Padgett. Padgett was found dead in his apartment in March after he failed to show for a football workout. In June, the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office in Houston determined that the 21-year-old's death was caused by the toxic effects of carfentanil, described as being designed originally as an elephant tranquilizer. Authorities allege that Mouchantaf sold Padgett the pills that directly led to his death. "Buyers need to understand that when they buy these pills on the streets instead of pharmacies, they are literally playing Russian Roulette," Assistant District Attorney Paul Fortenberry told KTRK-TV. "These pills look like the real deal, but they in fact are far more dangerous than even cocaine or heroin and are far less expensive." Mouchantaf is facing is a second-degree felony charge that carries a penalty ranging from five years to 99 years or life in prison. Padgett, who underwent surgery a few months before his death, believed the pill he was taking was Hydrocodone. Carfentanil, the drug the pill Padgett took, reportedly is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. In 2016, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Padgett led Rice's defensive linemen with 41 tackles and was second on the team with 5 1/2 tackles for losses. Last season, he played in only three games before going down with a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old Mouchantaf played at Rice from 2012 to 2015. --Former Clemson running back C.J. Fuller reportedly had chest pains and a seizure before he died on Wednesday night, according to media reports. The Clemson Insider was the first media outlet to report that the 22-year-old Fuller passed away after the seizure. "Fuller's brother called 911 after the RB collapsed to the ground and told the operator it appeared he was having a seizure," according to TMZ.com, which added that Fuller attended a physical therapy session hours before his death. Fuller reportedly sustained a knee injury playing flag football two weeks ago and on Wednesday attended his first therapy session after undergoing surgery late last month. After returning home, the website said, he collapsed and asked for water. An ambulance was called and Fuller was rushed to a hospital, but died a short time later. "He had been having some chest pains before that day, but they got worse fast," Zola Fuller Beeks, Fuller's aunt, told the Anderson (S.C.) Independent Mail. "He was conscious at one point, but when he got to the hospital, his speech was slurred. Before we knew it, he was gone. "We think it had something to do with a blood clot, but you just don't expect someone his age to be gone so fast." Fuller began the 2017 season as a starter but finished fifth on the team in rushing with 217 yards and three touchdowns. After the season, he left as a graduate transfer, but could not find another school after he and two others were charged in connection to alleged armed robbery in downtown Clemson. In his Clemson career, Fuller had 599 yards and four touchdowns on 147 carries, in addition to making 18 receptions for 155 yards and two scores. One of those touchdown catches came in the College Football Playoff semifinal victory over Ohio State in 2016, and the Tigers went on to win the national championship. --Nebraska running back Greg Bell, who was a starter at the beginning of the season before being demoted, will not make the trip for the Cornhuskers' game on Saturday at Wisconsin and reportedly is considering transferring, according the multiple media outlets. Bell, a junior, started the first three games for the Cornhuskers (0-4) but played sparingly last week against Purdue. "NU is not confirming Bell's departure and will not have a comment on his situation until after the Wisconsin game," the Omaha World Herald wrote. If Bell leaves without playing another down, he could take advantage of the new NCAA redshirt rule and retain a season of eligibility that he could use elsewhere. Through four games, Bell was third on the team, and second among running backs, with 173 yards rushing on 35 carries. He carried the ball only twice against Purdue. Should Bell transfer, he would become the 15th player to leave the program since head coach Scott Frost took over last December. The other 14 are offensive lineman Bryan Brokap, wide receiver Zack Darlington, offensive lineman Michael Decker, tight end David Engelhaupt, quarterback Tristan Gebbia, linebacker Willie Hampton, defensive back Will Jackson, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, fullback Ben Miles, quarterback Patrick O'Brien, linebacker Avery Roberts, tight end Matt Snyder, inside linebacker Andrew Ward and wide receiver Keyan Williams. Decker retired from football and Darlington joined the Army, but the other 12 transferred to other schools.