(AP) -- A former Michigan cornerback charged with sexually assaulting a woman has pleaded no contest to aggravated assault in the case. Thirty-year-old James Lavell Whitley on Thursday pleaded to the lesser charge in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Sentencing is Jan. 21. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing.

A message seeking comment was left Monday with defense lawyer Marcus Connor. Police say a woman told officers Whitley assaulted her Jan. 18 at a friend's apartment in Washtenaw County's Pittsfield Township, about 35 miles west-southwest of Detroit. He was charged with criminal sexual conduct.

Whitley was a Wolverines co-captain but was dismissed from the team after being arrested in 2000 on a gun charge.

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