CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — A star football player for Chadron State College has been suspended for the first six games because he was ineligible to play in 2011.

The western Nebraska school announced the suspension of Trelan Taylor on Tuesday. The senior from La Mesa, Calif., won’t play until the Oct. 19 road game at Black Hills State.

Athletic department spokesman Alex Helmbrecht said the suspension was related to academics and that the school would have no additional comment.

Taylor is one of the top defensive backs in NCAA Division II. He was a team captain and first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference pick last season. His 74 tackles were third-most on the team, and he intercepted eight passes. Taylor was the fourth-leading tackler in 2011.