WASHINGTON, Pa. — The three men charged in the 2012 death of a Butler County man and star football player in Washington County pleaded guilty today to a general count of homicide and robbery in the case.

The judge hearing the case later determined the defendants would be sentenced to third-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Tim McNerney of Penn Township.

The suspects — Adam R. Hankins, 24, of Washington, Troy Lamonte Simmons Jr., 24, of East Pittsburgh; and Eric Wells, 25, of Pittsburgh — will be sentenced Aug. 25 in Washington County Court.

All three men face a statutory maximum of 60 years in state prison.

Washington police say McNerney, a Washington & Jefferson College student and football player, was walking back to campus with a teammate in October 2012 when the two were attacked.

Police suspect the suspects wanted the victims’ money and cell phones.

Authorities say McNerney was knocked down and out by a single punch. He later died of head injuries at Washington Hospital.

McNerney’s friend was badly beaten but he managed to escape.