Southern Miss safety Ed Wilkins ‘removed from program’ after arrest on armed robbery charge

Ed Wilkins started nine games at safety for Southern Miss last season. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)
Ed Wilkins started nine games at safety for Southern Miss last season. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)
Ed Wilkins started nine games at safety for Southern Miss last season. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (AP) — Two people, including a Southern Miss football player, were arrested Friday on a charge of armed robbery.

WDAM-TV reports Edward Wilkins, 21, and Michael Bailey, 19, were taken into custody early Friday.

Bond information for Bailey was not immediately available. The Hattiesburg American reports City Court Judge Jerry Evans set bond at $75,000 for Wilkins, who’s listed as a redshirt junior defensive back on the USM’s 2014 team.

The university, in a news release, said Wilkins has been indefinitely suspended and will not participate in any team activities while the case is pending.

“This is a serious matter,” said Southern Miss coach Todd Monken. “Ed has been removed from the program while we gather additional information.”

Wilkins, a native of McDonough, Georgia, was booked into Forrest County Jail shortly after 6 a.m. Friday. He started nine games for Southern Miss last season, recording 39 tackles and making one interception. He also started one game as a redshirt freshman in 2012.

Golden Eagle football players are scheduled to report for fall camp on July 31. Practice begins Aug. 1.