ATLANTA (AP) -Georgia Tech cornerback Jerrard Tarrant was reinstated to the team after being suspended for more than seven months.

Tarrant, who was suspended in June, had been accused of rape. The charges were eventually dropped. He had remained a student at Georgia Tech.

``It is unfortunate that Jerrard lost a year of eligibility in the process, but the charges against him were something that we took very seriously,'' coach Paul Johnson said in a statement.

Tarrant will begin spring practice drills with the team on March 23, entering next season as a sophomore.