Oregon running back LaMichael James pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge and was sentenced to 10 days in jail on Friday for an altercation with a woman outside his apartment last month.
James, who appeared in Lane County Circuit Court on Friday morning, will then spend 24 months on probation as part of the plea agreement with prosecutors.
He must report to jail on Friday afternoon, but it was unclear whether he would serve any time.
Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner said jail time was up to the Lane County Sheriff's Department, which would likely place James in a diversion program instead because of overcrowding, and because James' offense is relatively minor and he is considered low-risk.
``There's no shortage of community work that needs to be done, and actually, he's a very healthy, strong young guy and putting him on the other end of a shovel for a while if it benefits the community might be a good thing,'' Gardner said.
James, who set a Pac-10 freshman record with more than 1,500 yards rushing last season, originally faced five misdemeanor charges, including strangulation, harassment and assault. All but one harassment charge were dropped.
James was in court with his attorney for the hearing before Judge Maurice K. Merten, which lasted just a little more than five minutes. The running back left the courtroom without comment.
In a statement that was included in court documents related to the case, James apologized to the victim, a former girlfriend. She claimed he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument on Feb. 15.
``I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. I have made a mistake and accept the consequences,'' the statement said. ``I look forward to demonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that I am a better man than recent events suggest.''
James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon's 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.
Included in court documents was a statement from the attorney for James' former girlfriend.
``My client did not want to ruin Mr. James' life, but did want him to be held accountable for what he had done, to get the help that he needs so that this does not happen again to someone else and to be protected in the future,'' attorney Jodee L. Scott wrote.
Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was due in the same courtroom later Friday to face arraignment on an unrelated felony burglary charge.
The two are the highest profile Oregon teammates among several players who have had legal trouble since the Rose Bowl.
Coach Chip Kelly, who has been criticized for how he has disciplined players, has said he will not make any announcement about the futures of James and Masoli until Friday's court hearings have concluded.
Masoli's felony charge stems from the theft of two laptops and a guitar from a university fraternity house in late January. Also charged with second-degree burglary was former receiver Garrett Embry, whom Kelly dismissed from the team earlier in January for an unrelated violation of team rules.
Masoli threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Led in large part by Masoli and James, Oregon made a remarkable comeback from a season-opening loss to Boise State and won its first Pac-10 title since 2001. The Ducks earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1995.
It has been an offseason of disarray for the Ducks, with several players in trouble.
Placekicker Rob Beard pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge last week for his role in a Jan. 24 street fight that left him seriously injured.
Beard, who remained on Oregon's active roster, was placed on probation.
Linebacker Kiko Alonso pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Eugene Municipal Court last week. Kelly suspended Alonso for the 2010 season upon learning of the arrest.
Defensive end Matt Simms was dismissed by Kelly after he was cited on assault charges last month. Simms pleaded guilty to physical harassment for striking a man he thought had beaten Beard.
