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The University of Wisconsin cornerback is facing a felony charge of residential burglary and a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass for allegedly stealing an Xbox from an apartment in November 2006. He also had a positive drug test at Wisconsin last year, according to published reports.
"We had him red-flagged on character as well as the injury," an NFC personnel chief said. "We took him off our board."
Not so, though, for the Eagles, who took Ikegwuonu with the third of their three fourth-round picks yesterday.
"He did have a law-enforcement incident," Eagles coach Andy Reid told reporters. "Obviously, I did my homework on that. We just have to let the court go through its sentencing phase and then we'll see."
Ikegwuonu agreed to a plea deal that would have included a sentence of 24 months' probation and 50 hours of community service. But according to WKOW-TV in Madison, Wis., his twin brother, Bill, a safety at Northern Illinois who also was charged in the incident, wouldn't go along with the deal and the judge reinstated the original charges.
"It's tough to hear that you have character issues and stuff like that," Ikegwuonu said. "I had never been in trouble with the law my entire life besides that one incident. Most people that have gotten to know me and that have been around me my entire life know that I am not a troublemaker.
"Andy Reid did some research into it and he felt confident that it was not going to be a problem. My story has never wavered at all. I have been professing my innocence for a long time."
Ikegwuonu was a two-time first-team all-Big Ten selection at Wisconsin. He still had a year of college eligibility left, but decided to come out early.
Theoretically, Ikegwuonu, who is represented by - who else? - Drew Rosenhaus, could opt not to sign with the Eagles and go back into the 2009 draft. But Reid said he has been assured by both the player and his agent that he wants to be with the Eagles.
Ikegwuonu said he has accepted the fact that he won't be able to play in 2008.
"I was trying to do everything I could to make a comeback for this year," he said. "But I think, for what is at stake and with the level of competition, it's just not realistic to see me contributing on a significant level this year.
"I am just going to listen to the people in Philadelphia. I heard they have a really good [training] staff and I am going to make a commitment with them to do all my rehab there. I am going to be ready as soon as I can." *
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