MANKATO — A St. Peter man has pleaded guilty in a beating nearly two years ago that left a former Minnesota State University-Mankato football player with severe brain injuries.

Twenty-two-year-old Trevor Shelley pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony first-degree assault. A second count of third-degree assault would be dismissed under the plea deal.

A judge conditionally accepted the plea and set sentencing for May 13. Shelley could face up to a year in jail but prison time would be stayed.

Shelley admitted punching former Mavericks linebacker Isaac Kolstad outside a downtown Mankato nightclub in May 2014. Former University of Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson kicked Kolstad in the head after he fell.

Defense attorney Rich Hillesheim said Shelley is remorseful. His trial was scheduled to begin Monday.