SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Friday disputed the characterization by Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin of the league office being "comfortable" with the university's decision to allow Jeffery Simmons to enroll and play football for the Bulldogs.
"I would say awareness and comfort are two different things," Sankey said. "It is an institutional decision. The characterization of comfort with [Mississippi State's] decision is not a characterization I would provide."
Simmons, a defensive end prospect who signed with the Bulldogs in February, was arrested in March and charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace after a video emerged on social media that appeared to show him hitting a woman several times after she fell to the ground. He is still awaiting legal resolution of the incident.
Sankey said he has seen the video.
On Thursday, Mississippi State allowed Simmons to enroll and play football, but with conditions attached -- including a one-game suspension served in the season opener. Among the conditions, Simmons "will be evaluated by the licensed professionals at the university's Student Counseling Services and be required to complete any program prescribed by that office."
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen told ESPN on Friday that a wide range of school officials were involved in the decision to allow Simmons to play.
"As we looked at all of the details of the situation, beyond just the part of the video that's been in the media, we felt like he deserved a chance in life," Mullen said.
The SEC's current bylaw on "Serious Misconduct" applies to transfer student-athletes who have been "convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony involving serious misconduct" at any point after enrollment at a collegiate institution. However, the rule does not specifically include incoming high school players.
The SEC defines serious misconduct as "sexual assault, domestic violence, other forms of sexual violence, dating violence or stalking, or conduct of a nature that creates serious concerns about the safety of others."
Sankey, who said the SEC is discussing expanding legislation to include incoming high school players, was asked about the vague wording of the rule.
"It's a vague world," Sankey said. "It's a recognition that you can't define everything within one page."
Athletes breaking the current rule "shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition at an SEC member institution" until a background check "at least satisfies the conference's minimum due diligence expectations."
Stricklin said Thursday that Mississippi State ran a background check on Simmons, who was ranked 84th overall in the 2016 ESPN 300, and found no other prior incidents. And Mullen said Friday that the university's investigation into the incident went much deeper than just the video.
Asked why Simmons received only a one-game suspension and wasn't forced to sit out a year and prove himself, Mullen said, "That was all an administration decision."
The mother of the Mississippi woman who was allegedly assaulted by Simmons told ESPN in March that the attack was the result of a longstanding dispute between her daughter and his family.
Simmons apologized for the incident on his Facebook page in the aftermath. He wrote: "My apology goes out to the Taylor Family and especially to Sophia Taylor. What was I thinking? Honestly, I wasn't thinking, all I could think was this is my family and I'm supposed to defend my family. I truly hope that you will find it in your hearts to forgive me for my actions."
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Simmons was the 12th-ranked defensive end in the 2016 recruiting class and compiled 20.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three blocked field goal attempts and two blocked punts as a senior while helping Noxubee County High School win the Mississippi Class 4A state championship.
ESPN staff writers Brett McMurphy, Sam Khan Jr. and Chris Low contributed to this report.