YES Network.com

New England Patriots standout rookie defensive back Alfonzo Dennard has been convicted of assaulting a police officer in Lincoln, Neb., and could serve up to five years in a Nebraska state prison when sentenced.

On Wednesday, Dennard, a former University of Nebraska star, was convicted by a Lancaster County jury on the felony charge, as well as one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, stemming from an incident where he punched a police officer in the face during a fight outside a bar in Lincoln on April 21.

The jury dismissed a third charge of third-degree assault against another man, but Dennard will be sentenced on the other two charges at a later date.

Dennard, who was the 2011 Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year for the Cornhuskers, was selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Patriots, just five days after the incident took place. He shined as a rookie in Bill Belichick’s defense, recording 35 tackles, three interceptions – one of which was returned for an 87-yard touchdown against Andrew Luck and the Colts in Week 11 – and one forced fumble, and he also notched another forced fumble in the Patriots’ Divisional Round Playoff victory over the Houston Texans.

Follow Joe Auriemma on Twitter: @JoeAuriemmaYES