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
Adam
November 2nd, 2011
2:54 pm
oh, and I’m White….before you decide to go there
Richt's Tanning Salon
November 2nd, 2011
3:00 pm
Adam
November 2nd, 2011
2:54 pm
oh, and I’m White….before you decide to go there
Adam, no way, I thought you were Jewish?
Richt's Tanning Salon
November 2nd, 2011
3:01 pm
Adam, I mean’t in reference to you being a christian preacher, not being white, as that would be irrelevant to you being Jewish.
Mojo
November 2nd, 2011
3:05 pm
Rivals Insider sites were posting this last week before the UF game but I didnt believe it. Mark Richt sold out for a win!!!! He’s not the first to do this (UF, Clemson, FSU, Auburn, etc..). But, I am very disappointed in him based on what he claims are his core values in life. I like to win games but not at all cost. And we wonder why our program is having all these problems.
DaMan
November 2nd, 2011
3:05 pm
This is not new information…..this has been out there for a week, it was just conveniently “researched” over the weekend while Crowell played against Florida….I cannot believe that someone who is rated #1 RB in the country could find a way to screw things up so quickly…..this is twice and he’s only been on campus 90 days……he’ll end up at Jacksonville State by next year……
walk on tailback
November 2nd, 2011
3:07 pm
I am 50 years old…run a 4.3 forty, does 1500 push ups a day, has 1 year left of college eligibility and no scholarship is needed. Will not do drugs, will not run out of bounds, will not take myself out of a game and will not embarrass any football fan anywhere with a me 1st attitude. Will play every down hard for the TEAM, will abide by the rules, will be a leader on and off the field and will appreciate the opportunity to play for UGA again. Most respectfully, hw
Adam
November 2nd, 2011
3:30 pm
@ Richt’s Tanning Salon
LOL
College Football Week 10– Three Dawgs In The Doghouse on Homecoming– New Mexico State (November 5, 2011) | Georgia Dawg Football
November 2nd, 2011
4:07 pm
[...] The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) is reporting that Georgia’s top three running backs are… for Saturday’s Homecoming game against New Mexico State. Specifically, this means no Isaiah Crowell, Carlton Thomas, or Ken Malcome for Saturday’s 12:30 contest. To make matters worse, the AJC reports that Richard Samuel is done for the regular season with an ankle injury. [...]
redryder
November 2nd, 2011
4:29 pm
I’ve been saying for a long time, there is a serious drug problem on the football team. Smoking pot causes arrested developement. Also. Athens cops can arrest football players for DUI, WHY can’t they find the dealers???. MY belief is that Problem # 1 is drug usage on the football team.
Ron Roberts
November 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
I refuse to go through 22 prior pages of posts to see if anybody else asked this..
…the whole “10 percent of competition dates” thing… don’t we have 12 games, and isn’t 10% of 12 games more than one single game? Like, nearly a game and a quarter?
Why Not
November 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
I think a visit from Hershel Walker should get these 3 Dumb A$$es straiten out… Yes and a few rounds with Mr Walker should get these young men on the right track one way or another.
You know I would pay to watch that. I bet ESPN might just pick this up? Would you pay to watch?
DaMan
November 2nd, 2011
5:24 pm
Did these guys not pay attention to what just happened at LSU??? Obviously, this has been going on longer than just a couple of weeks with these 3……sounds like a urine swapping scheme to me….and not even 3 months into Crowell’s career…..hard to believe these kids would make the choices they make, knowing what the alternatives are…..so back to the hood, sitting around the apartment wondering where it all went wrong, when they had it all in front of them……where is the leadership on that UGA team?????
Doofus Dawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:26 pm
Do you think laying off pot can get crow well to run north/south?
Adam
November 2nd, 2011
5:27 pm
you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. hopefully these young men will learn their lesson and move forward. if not, the consequences won’t be pretty
Return to Glory
November 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Linell Rowe
November 2nd, 2011
6:46 pm
To Crowell, I am a formal carver high football player from 1969. I presently live in Atlanta. I, along with others that graduated during my years are so proud of you. Please don’t let us down.
Linell Rowe
November 2nd, 2011
6:50 pm
Crowell, I am a carver high school graduate and football player from 1969. Please don’t let us down. We are so proud of you and Jarvis jones.
T1
November 2nd, 2011
6:59 pm
Chip,
Toget this behind them, McGarity and Richt both need to publicly say they didn’;t know about the issue BEFORE the Florida game.
Otherwise, could be inviting an NCAA investigation like Tressel did. Tressel made strong statements initially about his integrity without addressing specifics too.
PT
November 2nd, 2011
8:20 pm
I will truly be surprised if Crowell makes it 3 years
Larry Ware
November 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Joe Hamilton started smoking pot in the Arena Football League and not at Tech.
tiglet
November 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
I heard the running backs took urine from an urinal instead of using their own urine but the test is little more sophisticated to fall for that little dishonest trick. After using their own urine all tested positive for marijuana. ISN’T MARIJUANA AN ILLEGAL DRUG. If all of these acts happens in the workplace….you are fired!
wildbill
November 2nd, 2011
9:06 pm
Send the bums home, that is, if they can find their way home. Oh, and have them pay back to UGA for the football $ they got for ‘playing’ at UGA.
Mary J. Wanna
November 2nd, 2011
9:19 pm
WTF?! How stupid can you be? Yes, I said stupid. Yes, I smoked pot in college, but I wasn’t the #1 RB recruit in the country about to play in the biggest game of the season. That’s okay, the world needs ditch diggers too.
Evansdawg
November 2nd, 2011
9:26 pm
For the UGA haters out there….here is a listing of all of the drug policies within the athletic programs of every school that matters. UGA and Kentucky have tougher rules than the rest of the SEC, and the entirety of the ACC, save Miami.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15947307/mcmurphys-law-inconsistency-epitomizes-aq-school-drug-policies
(STILL) 2-10 Against Ranked Teams
November 2nd, 2011
11:41 pm
……wake me up when UGA ever beats a ranked team…..
He Hate Gator
November 3rd, 2011
1:07 am
If they are truly suspended I don’t want to see them on the sidelines….they should not be allowed anywhere near the team or the sideline gametime…
Ron Yeomans
November 3rd, 2011
1:20 am
Let’s see if I get this. Pot smoking is a felony in Georgia under the right circumstances.
Pot smoking by a schlorship student @ UGA is a 1 hour suspension. Huummmm,
Has a very bad smell. Richt is a cheat. Bottom line!
biletul zilei
November 3rd, 2011
6:55 am
Nice breif sharing article i really likes this…
CRO-MAGNON MAN
November 3rd, 2011
8:48 am
Cats hav fleas 2:
AMEN TO ALL YOU SAID…THESE GUYS NOWADAYS THINK THE FANS AND THE TEAM CAN’T DO WITHOUT THEM….SEND THEIR A$$E$ HOME FOR NOT ONLY BREAKING THE RULES BUT BEING STUPID…..
CRO-MAGNON MAN
November 3rd, 2011
8:50 am
He Hate Gator:
TOTALLY AGREE, DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM ON THE SIDELINES WAVING A TOWEL WITH SHADES ON LOOKING OH SO COOL….LET THEM BUY A TICKET AND SIT UP WITH THE DAWG FANS SO WHEN THEY ARE RECOGNIZED THEY CAN EXPLAIN TO THE DAWG FANS WHY THEY EITHER DON’T CARE OR ARE SO STUPID….
What about Bruce
November 3rd, 2011
8:54 am
What about Bruce?
Bruce Figgins was moved to fullback yet he is rarely utilized. How about running out of the I – formation or a Pro-set instead of the high school (spread) formation. Utilize our fullbacks and have a lead blocker. Could also let him and the other fullbacks run the ball a few times as well.
Chuck '65
November 3rd, 2011
8:58 am
Has anyone said when the “test” was administered? If so, how long does it take to confirm the findings?
hairy Grandma
November 3rd, 2011
9:23 am
I’m awake, where are all you other hooligans from the first few pages that were hasslin old granny here?!
Clairmont
November 3rd, 2011
9:28 am
weed? come on , man…
Alabama Dog
November 3rd, 2011
9:48 am
Is this the last straw that will get Richt fired? This is a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT to Georgia!!!! Bad enough Washington gets a DUI after the Miss St game-now THIS?????
former GA player
November 3rd, 2011
9:48 am
Bottom line here is that this program is spinning out of control. The players run the show, and the coaches hang on for the ride. The sad thing is that the football program and staff are laughed at by the other athletes at UGA. Their antics put a pall over the entire athletic department and University. It is just not necessary. Get a coach who can win and be respected by the players. They are out there. In good programs, as when Coach Dooley was boss, the players had a healthy fear and the utmost respect for the Head Coach. These players laugh at Richt.
Alabama Dog
November 3rd, 2011
9:58 am
Well said, former GA player. I guess we “old timers” remember when the coach ran the show. I agree, Richt is making this program a joke, and Georgia is becoming a punch line, rather than respected. This begs the question: When is ENOUGH, ENOUGH?
Alabama Dog
November 3rd, 2011
10:07 am
I guess we can blame part of this problem on the NCAA. when atheletic dorms were done away with, coaches lost a great measure of control they once had over players. Don’t misunderstand me, I am in NO WAY rationalizing this situation. Players have to have shoulder the responsibility of doing the right thing, and putting the TEAM FIRST!
Handling the Troll
November 3rd, 2011
11:13 am
People need to learn how to handle the Trolls on the board. If you ignore them, they lose their minds. Just look at how the GT Troll got completely frustrated because Insider and C. Tiger wouldn’t spar with him. That is totally hilarious. Looked like a total tool!
wildbill
November 3rd, 2011
3:02 pm
Ummm coach, I riiily, riiily didn’t think that was a joint that I wuz smokin, I thot my guhl fren gav me a Camel cig, thats whut I thot it wuz, hones man, I kno better than to smoke a weed during footbal seeson.
Corinne Tyree
November 3rd, 2011
7:37 pm
I still remember walking towards the boat cruise dance my last year of college. A close friend gave me some very nice slacks and I already had a great shirt and jacket.
Brent
November 3rd, 2011
11:16 pm
Those 3 backs COMBINED havn’t scored 11 td’s to replace Washaun Ealey. And Ealey got 6.6 ypc in the 4th quarter. Crowell got 3 ypc in 4th quarter, out of shape.
Zola Arizzi
November 4th, 2011
1:33 pm
I was wrong. A parent helping with the dance was walking behind me. I can still hear him state, “Man, you sure learn how to make good clothes appear cheap. “
wildbill
November 4th, 2011
2:27 pm
I was at the gym this morning and was asked several times, “what is wrong with the football players and coaches at the University of Georgia?” I thought about some excuses for various behaviors but came up empty. It was even mentioned that a football scholarship doesn’t mean what it used to mean. CMR’s salary came up too. Frustration reigns even at the gym. There was ONE UGA hat and that was it……………
Stinger
November 4th, 2011
7:36 pm
I can’t blame coach Richt for not suspending his players until the New Mexico State Junior college game. He will have to suspend more players the rest of the year, oh wait a minute, he has no more easy games so he will wait until the spring game to suspend the rest.
Dawg4Life
November 5th, 2011
12:35 am
You know, Coach Richt should weed out all the bad seeds and play the guys that stay out of trouble and get their class work done. This is getting to be a strain on the Dawg Nation. I’m tired of loosing players because they can’t play by the rules. Do more research on these guys and leave them alone. These dudes are tarnishing the Georgia Pride.