CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Football recruit A.J. Graham and his family broke down in tears Thursday when they learned Marshall had reinstated his scholarship.

Defense attorney Tim Jansen surprised the family at a news conference in Tallahassee, Fla., with the news that Marshall had welcomed him back into the fold after armed robbery charges against the 2008 Florida high school player of the year had been dropped.

Graham was arrested in late May and was released on bond on June 8. By then, the centerpiece of Marshall's 2008 recruiting class was no longer wanted, removed from his scholarship by coach Mark Snyder.

But Jansen said witness statements backing up Graham's alibi threw the prosecution's case into doubt. Several witnesses placed Graham in a different vehicle than the one at the scene of the robbery.

"He's absolutely innocent of the charge," Jansen said, adding he learned about a half-hour before the news conference the bonus news that Marshall wanted Graham back.

Marshall offensive coordinator John Shannon Shannon said Thursday that Graham plans to arrive in Huntington as soon as possible.