SDSU’s Leomiti Not Suspended

Although Carlson Leomiti, San Diego State offensive lineman, might not be ready for the start of spring drills March 16 because of weight problems, Aztec Coach Al Luginbill said Wednesday that Leomiti has not been suspended from the team.

“We have put Carlson on a program to get his weight down as best we can to have him medically cleared to practice,” said Luginbill, who added that Leomiti is working out twice daily. “There is no suspension. We put him on a program administered by our strength and medical areas. And Carlson is having success.”

The Aztecs are concerned about Leomiti’s health because of what Luginbill called an eating disorder. Leomiti, listed at 340 pounds in last fall’s SDSU media guide, said he was at 360 at the beginning of the season. In a December interview, Leomiti said he was at 380. By the time the Freedom Bowl arrived, reports had him at around 400 pounds.

Luginbill said Wednesday that Leomiti, 6-foot-3 sophomore, now weighs less than 400 pounds but needs to get to the 360-370 range before he will be cleared for spring drills. Luginbill would not be more specific.

While it is possible Leomiti will miss spring drills, Luginbill said Leomiti’s status is “day to day.”

“He is working diligently and hard at correcting the problem, the best we have ever seen,” Luginbill said.

It is not a new problem. In past fall or spring practices, Leomiti often has had to spend the first few days on an exercise bicycle to lose weight.

Brian Barry, SDSU trainer, said it is nothing that concerns him.

“We’re going to work with him,” Barry said. “He has to get down to a certain playing weight, but that’s the case every year.”