Isaiah Crowell among 3 tailbacks suspended for failing drug tests (UPDATED)
Updated throughout . . .
ATHENS – Three Georgia tailbacks – including star freshman Isaiah Crowell – have been suspended for Saturday’s New Mexico State game for failing UGA-administered drug tests last week, two sources familiar with the process and the decision confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Crowell, junior Carlton Thomas and redshirt freshman Ken Malcome will have to sit out 10 percent of the Bulldogs’ competition dates, as is UGA Athletic Association policy for a first-time violation of the student-athlete drug policy. The tests, which revealed marijuana use, were administered last week and the results were confirmed via private lab on Tuesday, the sources said.
Georgia coach Mark Richt would not confirm the reasons for the suspensions beyond his statement that it was for “violation of team policies.”
“We have certain standards in all that we do and their actions do not reflect the Georgia way,” Richt said in a statement released by UGA Sports Communications on Tuesday afternoon. “They will serve their suspensions, learn a lesson and I’m sure will be better men for it.”
Richt failed to mention the suspensions during his half-hour weekly news conference two hours before the news release was sent. He was asked about both Crowell and Malcome during that session with the media. Richt declined subsequent interview requests through UGA spokesperson Claude Felton. None of the players involved were made available.
Meanwhile, No. 2 tailback Richard Samuel underwent season-ending ankle surgery on Tuesday morning, meaning the Bulldogs (6-2) will be down to their fifth-string ball carrier when they play the Aggies (3-5) this weekend at Sanford Stadium.
Sophomore Brandon Harton, junior Wes Van Dyk and freshman Kyle Karempelis as the only true tailbacks available to play Saturday. Harton (5-foot-6, 174 pounds) and Van Dyk (6-0, 203) are both former walkons who were awarded scholarships this past summer. Karempelis (5-9, 180) is a first-year walkon out of The Wesleyan School in Norcross. Only Harton, with 11 carries for 33 yards, and Van Dyk, with one for one yard, have played in a game this season.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo indicated after practice Tuesday night that Harton and Karempelis would be the Bulldogs’ first two options. Georgia could also utilize fullback Zander Ogletree in the running game.
“I think it’s an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up,” Bobo said. “We may have to change some things up and do some things different to move the ball. Other guys have to step up and make plays. I feel confident in those two guys and Ogletree and the backs and tight ends and receivers we have to move the ball.”
The Bulldogs could also give offensive snaps to defensive backs Brandon Boykin and/or Branden Smith, both of whom have played often on offense this season. And Bobo also dropped the names of two freshmen: Safety Nick Marshall and cornerback Damian Swann.
“There’s a lot of guys out there could be possibilities,” Bobo said.
It is the second suspension of the season for Crowell, who missed the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game for an academic-related issue. Thomas also missed the season opener due to a suspension for another undisclosed violation of team rules.
Crowell’s coach at Carver-Columbus High School, Dell McGee, traded text messages with him on Tuesday.
“I just reminded him of where he came from and not to take things for granted because they can be taken away from you,” McGee said.
Crowell was rated the No. 1 running back prospect in country when he signed with Georgia last February. He currently leads the Bulldogs with 689 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity insisted that the suspensions were not delayed discipline disciplinary actions from the week of the Florida game.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “We don’t pick when we do certain things. When certain things are found, we act right then.”
According to UGA Athletic Association student-athlete handbook, a one-game suspension can be the result of violations of three different policies: Drugs, alcohol or academics. But a violation of any policy cannot be enforced at a coach’s discretion.
“At the point a violation is discovered, if a suspension is required the penalty is enforced for the next competition,” Georgia senior Felton said. “Whatever the infraction was, it would have occurred this week.”
Georgia athletes are subject to preseason drug tests in every sport, random drug tests by the NCAA and periodic/non-random tests by the athletic association. In most cases it takes five to seven days for a lab to analyze the results.
– Chip Towers
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1,146 comments Add your comment
The Banker
November 2nd, 2011
8:46 am
Wade should have been suspended for the rest of the year!!!!! One game my —!
LHarding Dawg
November 2nd, 2011
8:47 am
d-dawg – Jasper is from Columbus and had problems at UGA. I’m happy to tell you he is doing well now. He lives in Texas, works for an oil company, and has a couple of children. He was a child in college, but now is a productive adult. IC is still a child and only time will tell if he ever gets to be an adult. It would be a shame for him to waste millions because he does’nt get the picture. We need to put running back first on our list of players to recuit.
Rolling Along
November 2nd, 2011
8:47 am
This suspension was definitely a delayed one. Had to wait until after the UF game to get all the facts… Right ? Grayson could beat Las Cruces(NM) High School. Joke discipline leads to more discipline problems.
Joey
November 2nd, 2011
8:50 am
UGA should enact GA Tech’s drug policy.
A Tech athlete gets caught with drugs in a test, nobody even knows because there is NO PENALTY FOR 1ST OFFENSE!
UGA athletes get suspension for 1st offense.
No suspension = no AJC coverage!
wreckbone
November 2nd, 2011
8:50 am
stop embarrassing uga program. coach had loose morals so do the players. how many arrests last year 12….15. i love the content the Georgia way. actually the players did do things the Georgia way and you guys can’t admit it. it kind of goes hand and hand with a party school. the same reason the the falcons will never win anything like uga because the players too busy partying to take the season serious enough to stay on track. drug tests are pretty quick. they knew before the hanger I’d very larger money that’s the truth. but since its school drug test the administer punishment as they see fit. in this case after beating Florida. what a joke Richt is. guess the empty thing that’s “ford tough l I’d deciding ask the
Stone Mill Runner
November 2nd, 2011
8:50 am
Crowell:
Why don’t you give former USCarolina QB Garcia a call. Talk about how things are with him right now. You want a future? What kind depends upon you – now.
mark PRICHT
November 2nd, 2011
8:51 am
kramer….i am sorry, in no way did I mean to shine a negative light on the DREAM TEAM….haha
GB
November 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
Violation of “the undisclosed team rules” is far too complicated to explain to the lay person.
sav'h dawg
November 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
@Gator Bait, You better worry about your program heading down the tubes. I don’t see next year being any better for your sqaud with a bunch of inexperienced QB’s. And oh by the way, you better find yourself an offensive line as well. They suck
GO DAWGS
dkg
November 2nd, 2011
8:55 am
Is a ah whimpy,lazy, out of shape,undeciplined,self-serving Crowell has been a big disappointment to the dawgs. I do not doubt that his has the ability to be a great player. I do doubt that he has the heart to become one. Excluding suspensions how many times has he been out of games due to injury. What was it, wrist, arm, leg? Everytime they show a picture of him after a run he is motioning to come out. There have been rumors about his sorry attitude. The young man needs to either grow up or get out. He has been given a great opportunity and has basically screwed it up!!
RedandBlackDawg
November 2nd, 2011
8:55 am
Thomas Brown
I have to say in all of my life time, and it is considerable, I have never seen a bigger mouthed blowhard in that time. You sir, take the cake. Are you unemployed, retired or disabled in some way that allows you the time to come up with all of your meaningless garbage and statistics.
And just how did you scoop, the news about failed drug test, on Friday. Do you work for the department that conducts these drug test? Better even, did you administer these drug test?
I really think you need to get a life. God forbid that you are actually married, because that means you could breed or have bred actual beings that will be influenced by you. Now that is a disaster of epic proportions. You probably carry this same disdain you have for all things UGA, into other parts of your life, and if you are indeed married, your wife should be up for sainthood. You write more B.S. on these blogs than the person who actually wrote and published the article. Perhaps you should ask the AJC for a paycheck. The only reason you are allowed to write your garbage anyway, is it does illicit a response from fools like me, that even bother to get irritated by your crap. The reason you are allowed to do it though, as it shows through web page hits, that readership is up, a standard that all papers use to determine readership. I can’t imagine you going out in public at a UGA football game, and spouting the same garbage. It is just my opinion but I feel sure, you would most likely put yourself in harms way if you did. Enough of you fool, be gone.
Now as to I Crowell’s , what seems to be continued problems with maturity, I would do this. I would put him on a short leash so to speak. In no unnecessary terms I would let him know, that if he does something stupid one more time,, or chooses not to do the academics required to stay in school, he will need to find a new place to showcase his talents. He has a great deal of athletic ability, but in the end, if he doesn’t straighten up and fly right, he is simply taking down the university where he has a great opportunity to do good and for free. I am sure there is some FCS school in Alabama that would be ready to put him on their team. Heck, with some of the coaches at some of the FBS schools in the SEC, he could probably get enrolled. In the short run it would probably hurt the team, as we are short RB’s, but there should be pride in being allowed to play for UGA, and also a responsibility as well. I don’t want to hear about , “Well, he is young and only a teen”. That is just plain B.S. I am sure that we probably only know the tip of the iceberg, as to how big a pain in the lower intestinal track he has been. Do not go blaming the coaches either. I am sure that they have tried to help him as much as possible. He has had tutors, student guidance counselors as well as support from his fellow players and students. He has chosen to throw it all away in my opinion. I would bet that this is not the first time he has failed a test and most likely not his last. He has the attitude that he doesn’t need to conform to the rules others do, because he was given God given athletic ability. His mom needs to come onto campus and just whip on his butt, and straighten him up a little. He has let down the university, the team and most importantly, himself. There is actually not a lot of upside for him and the football team, unless he straightens himself up. Can he do it? I don’t know as like some readers on here, I don’t have a crystal ball, to look at. My guess is though, that we are looking at another Ealey. Maybe CMR just has to cut his losses, recruit another back, maybe not as athletic as Crowell, but a lot less of a headache, and look to the future. Thomas would be gone if it were up to me, and Malone would be on the same short leash as Crowell.
GO DAWGS and GATA
d-dog
November 2nd, 2011
8:56 am
@LHarding Dawg
I was not knocking Jasper as a person but as a FOOTBALL player. I will promise you this. A BIG TIME “RB”. will be in town next SEASON maybe before CHRISTMAS this year and “IC” will have to work to keep his job if he is still here and wants to play at UGA. go dawgs
GulfShoresDawg
November 2nd, 2011
8:58 am
Figgins and Zander, run the dang ball Bobo! Figgins is a stud, give him the ball!!! Smash mouth up he gut
JuJu Beans
November 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
RedandBlackDawg,
If Coach Richt did his job in the manner that you suggest, then you wouldn’t have the “Thomas Browns” on this blog to get under your skin.
His rants only bother you because you know that he is right.
BYRDDAWG
November 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
wreckboned……RUBEN HOUSTON!!!!!! FBI most wanted list….FOOL!
3 UGA RB's Suspended For Failing Drug Tests - Page 2
November 2nd, 2011
9:01 am
[...] athletic association. In most cases it takes five to seven days for a lab to analyze the results. Isaiah Crowell among 3 tailbacks suspended for New Mexico State (UPDATED) | UGA sports blog ——————- Another great sig courtesy of [...]
boss dawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:02 am
wreckbone: you are an idiot and obviously didn’t go to a school that teaches writing.Companies and universities establish guidelines to follow in such matters to protect the accused and the establishment. Rules are based on time lines and the first positive resulted in a second more detailed test that has a defined time table. If you want to point the finger look at the date of the first test. No way a positive test would result in a suspension for the fla game based on standard operating procedures.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:02 am
Just calm down everyone. Its a cupcake game and it wouldnt matter if all of our first string was out on both sides of the ball, we would still win.
As for the suspensions, they all failed a drug test for pot. Its college people they all do it who cares. They were all randomly tested the friday before the florida game. And like Chip said it takes 5-7 days to get the results back. so to the ppl saying they should have been out for florida are dumb and cant read.
Those blaming richt for it like the nerds. Get over urself and academics, WE DONT GIVE A SHT!T. Richt cant possibly monitor everything these TEENAGERS do. Remember they are TEENAGERS mostly, we all did stupid stuff growing up.
As for you Hons Solo you def get moron of the day. If they killed someone they would be in jail and off the team you dolt.
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:02 am
awwwww, the tech fans lost the only game that matters to them. Get over it. The actual gator fans have already.
FLA DAWG
November 2nd, 2011
9:03 am
With the biggest O Line in college or NFL football I would think Figgins could make yards against NMS. On the other hand, we have Bobo as the OC.
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:03 am
sav’h Dawg….
Sort of like your OL sucks. Both Georgia and Florida suck this year. Difference…..your schedule.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:03 am
JuJu Beans
November 2nd, 2011
8:59 am
RedandBlackDawg,
If Coach Richt did his job in the manner that you suggest, then you wouldn’t have the “Thomas Browns” on this blog to get under your skin.
His rants only bother you because you know that he is right.
Well I guess I gave that award out prematurely. Anyone who thinks that retard, “Thomas Brown” knows what he is talking about is clearly a retard themselves.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:03 am
sav’h Dawg….
Sort of like your OL sucks. Both Georgia and Florida suck this year. Difference…..your schedule.
Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh you lost get over it
papadawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
We’re talking 28 year old college kids and if over drinking booze after the gator win is the problem then there is a whole lot of DAWG fans who need to be punished as well. I think maybe a few DT fans as well
dawgwatcher
November 2nd, 2011
9:04 am
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH DAWG RECRUITING??? They are constantly having problems with the guys they recruit!!….where is the character element in their recruiting?? ….maybe they need to talk with the Falcins about how to recruit guys with talent AND character.
Honky Talkin
November 2nd, 2011
9:05 am
CMR has lost control of his team again. He needs to quit and do his missionary work with Tebow.
papadawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:05 am
oops I meant 18 year olds
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
P.S…..you are going to really find out how much your team sucks this year….along with Florida…..when you get “lucky” enough to play Bama or LSU in Atlanta. That is going to suck big time.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
Honky Talkin
November 2nd, 2011
9:05 am
CMR has lost control of his team again. He needs to quit and do his missionary work with Tebow.
You are a moron
jd
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
It may be interesting to see what Kyle K. can do as a running back with those earth movers in front. Pound per pound he may be one of the best backs around… At least his character is excellent. Good luck to all the young walk on TB’s this weekend. Oh by the way. If we had an experienced Running back coach that played running back it might help in the development of character and abillity on the college level
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 am
P.S…..you are going to really find out how much your team sucks this year….along with Florida…..when you get “lucky” enough to play Bama or LSU in Atlanta. That is going to suck big time.
Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh Wahhh Wahh Wahhh. Go away little baby and cry somewhere else
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
True Dawg….
The quote….says…..along with Florida. READ. I am over it.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:07 am
True Dawg….
The quote….says…..along with Florida. READ. I am over it.
Florida Sucks yes, Our dogs…… NOPE. 6-2 moron move along
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
True Dawg….
See you after the SEC title game with some of that crap. You will be the one crying then.
Not so fast my friends
November 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
It takes five to seven business days to get the results of a drug test back from a lab. If these guys were suspended for failing a drug test and were tested last week there would have been no way to know the results of the test before the Florida game unless they were tested on Monday, and even then there is no guarantee that the results would have been back in time.
For all you trolls who claim they suspensions were delayed, do you really think that with the way the NCAA man handles UGA at every chance they get the Athletic Department would be okay with delayed suspensions? I think not. The AJC would never had cover this if this were Georgia Tech, because Tech doesn’t give any punishment for a first time offense, which in turn keeps it out of the press and the public eye.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:09 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
True Dawg….
See you after the SEC title game with some of that crap. You will be the one crying then.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
At least we will be there while Florida struggles to become bowl eligable hahahaha
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:10 am
True Dawg…..
Weschester State Teachers College would be 6-2 with your scedule. You lost to the only two good teams (not great teams like Bama and LSU) you played. But you get excited about your team….it will last until you lose again….probably against both Auburn and Tech…..and if not…..a blowout loss in Atlanta.
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
Where were you last year? Or the year before? I remember Florida winning things that matter recently….and they will again soon. Right now……no team in the SEC East is relevant…..including Georgia.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:12 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:10 am
True Dawg…..
Weschester State Teachers College would be 6-2 with your scedule. You lost to the only two good teams (not great teams like Bama and LSU) you played. But you get excited about your team….it will last until you lose again….probably against both Auburn and Tech…..and if not…..a blowout loss in Atlanta.
hahahahahahahahahaha what a sad life for oyu, to have to hope for UGA to lose to make urself feel better. hahahahahahahahhaha thanks for the laughs you moron.
O and by the way didnt you say all last week how yall were going to destroy us blah blah blah blah
papadawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:12 am
Florida Gators playing a bowl game on the BLUE CARPET maybe
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:13 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:11 am
Where were you last year? Or the year before? I remember Florida winning things that matter recently….and they will again soon. Right now……no team in the SEC East is relevant…..including Georgia.
Wow that was quick right back to the past. hahahahaha I can do even better remeber the 70’s and 80’s when we won 17 of those?????? getover it you little cry baby
TampaGatorsMama
November 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
Im sorry for how my son acts on this board. I did the best I could do when he was a child. but since his daddy left us, it was real hard to raise him as a single parent. Gator football is the only thing he has to look forward to.
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
But don’t you think it interesting…..at all……that the suspensions fell the week of N. Mex. St…..and not Florida or Auburn. Hummmmmmmm………..very interesting, indeed. Something smells…..and you know what it is in the athletic dorm at UGA these days.
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:16 am
My mother passed away 3 years ago from cancer. I would appreicate it if you did not make reference to her. Seriously.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:17 am
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
But don’t you think it interesting…..at all……that the suspensions fell the week of N. Mex. St…..and not Florida or Auburn. Hummmmmmmm………..very interesting, indeed. Something smells…..and you know what it is in the athletic dorm at UGA these days.
Like i said earlier the drug tests were done on FRIDAY you retard. Takes 5-7 days to get results. It wasnt an NCAA test either. What u are assuming is that they would be dumb enough to do a surprise drug test with time to get results back before the game. Thats just dumb.
Rooster
November 2nd, 2011
9:18 am
Can’t compare Crowell to Ealey. Ealey never failed a drug test while in Athens. LMAO!!!
a country boy can survive
November 2nd, 2011
9:18 am
@ true dawg fan
i’d like to spit some beechnut in your eye
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
9:18 am
and…..dude…..I am just having some fun. I live on the beach. I am retired. I have a beautiful, loving wife and wonderful, grown children and grandchildren. I am sitting right now on my beach deck, drinking great tasting coffee, looking at the ocean…….and wondering what the rest of the world is doing.
All in fun, my Dawg friends.
True Dawg Fan
November 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
a country boy can survive
November 2nd, 2011
9:18 am
@ true dawg fan
i’d like to spit some beechnut in your eye
awesome
J.T.Keene
November 2nd, 2011
9:19 am
I feel for ole jasper sanks. the write up on him earlier in the year had people saying how glad they were for good ole jasper. Now,cro wellllll has reminded everyone again of jaspers failures. cro welllll would have been a 4th stringer at alabama (while he lasted) had he not elected to go to uga and be the star of the dream team.