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
Niceville Dawg
November 1st, 2011
6:28 pm
This is the exact same thing that went on a couple weeks ago at LSU.Their timing was perfect to have the guys back for an important game.Now…its all forgotten.Haven’t heard a peep about it anywhere.This will be the same way IF we keep winning.If we lose,then everyone calls it a distraction and we all have something to blame it on,myself included.And by the way,I told you so with IC.I said he was a bad choice from day one and I got chastised by some of the long-timers on here.I truely hope he pulls out of this thing,but I don’t see it happening.Its not that he doesn’t want to be @ UGA,its that he doesnt want to be in school period.
shipyard dawg
November 1st, 2011
6:32 pm
I smoked top and did ekoc so what the Hell.
Michael Ruffin
November 1st, 2011
6:32 pm
Maybe they’ll hand the ball to Figgins now…
d-dog
November 1st, 2011
6:33 pm
I think I’ll wait until I know more before I hang anyone. But, it look a bit undercover. I don’t want to believe that “IC” would throw away the chance to be something special. Then there was Jasper Shanks from columbus who throw it away. Is this another repete. If “IC” can’t cut it he need to move on, the “Buldog Nation”,”UGA”, and His team mates deserves better. The same goes for the other two “RB”. PUT UP OR GET OUT…………… alway a dawg…………
01HAWK
November 1st, 2011
6:35 pm
I was really wanting CROWELL to go to BAMA, but I am glad he did not now. Do not need him. Their will always be 5-10 players on every team that are smoking the WEED.
With RICHARDSON, LACY, FOWLER and even Blake Sims from GAINESVILLE put up 78 yards against OLE MRS. we are in good hands
Not hating on UGA, just glad now he did not go to BAMA.
He also does to much trash talking and he is just a freshman.
dostoveyskiy
November 1st, 2011
6:35 pm
Why does CMR always chose the “slaughter game” to suspend players? When did the violations occur?
dostoveyskiy
November 1st, 2011
6:38 pm
Is Nick Marshall the one for the job? I don’t know, does he smoke weed? That seems to be a requirement at UGa.
d-dog
November 1st, 2011
6:41 pm
The suspension are an embarrment for everone. This does’t look for the program. These kind of distractions that bring down coaches, programs, and moral. What in the HELL is going on. I don’t want to believe that control is slipping away. Seems a few have no fear of the future.
Gene
November 1st, 2011
6:42 pm
I guess the “energy vampire” program is not working. Very convenient timing, Richt. Be careful that you don’t hurt Crowell’s feelings. You have already classified him as “special.” Too bad about Samuel. He is a tough player and in a different universe from Crowell and his posse.
Just thinking......
November 1st, 2011
6:42 pm
So when exactly did these three not live up to the standards of the team, before or after UF?????
NM seems almost too timely for legitimate suspension.
Ricky 4
November 1st, 2011
6:42 pm
Why do we continue to bring in dumb arses? It is obvious that they can not handle success. Lack of discipline. I know that they are kids but really?
01HAWK
November 1st, 2011
6:43 pm
3 guys that should have to run stadium steps until they drop. Inexcuseable to let your team down.
Wolfman
November 1st, 2011
6:46 pm
Sure makes it easier to do this when you are playing New Mexico State. Wonder if the same decision would have been made if the game Sat would have been against GT??
daawg1977
November 1st, 2011
6:47 pm
everyone needs to quit blaming the coach and bobo for this. all athletes are schooled on the team and university rules when admitted. athletes can’t be watched 24/7. these players have to understand that playing at uga is a huge opportunity for them to get an education and possibly become pro. i am thankful for my education at uga (1977 grad) and would not be where i am today without it. if they don’t learn anything from this then we don’t need then on our team. we are way better off without ealy and king. they need to listen to jarvis jones and get with the program. GO DAAWGS!
Tommy Chong
November 1st, 2011
6:47 pm
Light up, man, and hop on Richt’s smoke-filled bus to the Georgia Dome.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 1st, 2011
6:51 pm
Were they Smoking some Doberman or Bulldog in the Big Bamboo papers from the Cheech & Chong “Up in Smoke Album”?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 1st, 2011
6:52 pm
Brings a whole new meaning to Dawg Ate My Stash.
Vince Doodly
November 1st, 2011
6:54 pm
Reefer Kings!
uga3xsuperbowlmvp
November 1st, 2011
6:56 pm
ic coming from my hometown of columbus must have hooked up with jasper sanks. jasper was suppose to the next walker but got kicked off the team i see ic headed in that direction
what of it?
November 1st, 2011
6:57 pm
If Richt had any balls, he would suspend them for Auburn instead. Way too convenient it showed up this week considering his job was on the line last week Very limp-wristed, just like his play calling and coaching.
Alphare
November 1st, 2011
6:57 pm
is it possible the rumored synthetic drug gave dawgs an edge during the Florida game?
CHDawg
November 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
01Hawk wrote>>3 guys that should have to run stadium steps until they drop. Inexcuseable to let your team down.<<
My solution is to line them up in the gym and let Blair Walsh drill them until he can hit them 90% of the time. That way we solve four problems at once!
Alphare
November 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
NCAA should forfeit UGA’s win against FL if coaches know the problem before the game.
Rabun Dawg
November 1st, 2011
7:04 pm
Would someone please tell me who are Harton and VanDyk? Have they been in the program long, and were they recruited or walk-ons? I do not pretend to know all of the names on our roster, but I have never heard of these two. Looks as though Murray and Mason better get their arms ready to air it out!
Jessica
November 1st, 2011
7:05 pm
We didn’t play New Mexico state!?!?
BurytheBone
November 1st, 2011
7:05 pm
@Alphare then what should they do to OHIO ST., Auburn, LSU , ga.tech….just to name a few.
GA Shawty
November 1st, 2011
7:05 pm
Does the NCAA require a certain timeframe that the suspension must occur? Does it have to be immediately after coaches have the knowledge of the infraction or can the player be suspended just for any 1 game? Or must it be the next immediate game?
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
7:06 pm
Herding cats is always difficult, but it’s easier if you can find a way to pick suitable cats.
01HAWK
November 1st, 2011
7:08 pm
Richt singled out 5-foot-6, 167-pound walk-on tailback Brandon Harton. (”Harton did good,” said Richt, who then turned to a staffer and asked: “What’s Harton’s first name?”) Harton “took a long run to the house” — a 65-yard touchdown — for the third-team offense vs. the third-team defense, Richt said. “He did a very nice job running the ball.”
Harton in spotlight
Harton, who is from Tattnall County, said he had opportunities to play college football at Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern, “but I really wanted to play for Georgia.” So he enrolled at UGA and walked on last summer as a wide receiver. He said he asked the coaches “if it’d be all right” to switch to running back this spring.
“Obviously everyone here is good, but you just have to go out every day and work hard,” said Harton, who is Ealey’s cousin. “And whenever you get your opportunity, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
Teammates enjoyed Harton’s moment in the limelight Saturday.
Murray said Harton “had a nice run where he, like, ducked under two guys fast as heck, and he was gone.” Charles said Harton “was breaking runs and making everybody excited.”
Cousin of WASHAUN EALEY
John Gordy
November 1st, 2011
7:08 pm
The AD needs to send Crowell, THomas, and Malcome packing!!!! Fire Richt too while he’s at it. Richt has lost all control of TEAM. Crowell is a cancer on the team. He can’t even take a hit. Send that little punk back to Columbus.
We looked ugly and some how beat Florida. Richt needs to go!!!!
Lie....Cheat.....Steal.....
November 1st, 2011
7:10 pm
That’s the Mark Richt and Georgia way!
CHDawg
November 1st, 2011
7:11 pm
Rabun, pretty interesting stories. Both walked on and won schollys, I believe. Harton did very well in the spring and ran a good bit on Gday. Van Dyk is interesting, too. Apparently a very smart kid, who entered an entrepreneurial contest and won with a computer program for helping sororities with rush as his idea. He was offered $100K to go start a company selling the software and he chose to finish his career as a Dawg instead. Those are very rough basics. I hope they both do well. Harton is 5′6″ and 175#s. I think we can hide him behind Figgins.
rude dawg
November 1st, 2011
7:11 pm
I will be surprised if Crowell makes it through one season before he is kicked off this team.
Frat Boy
November 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
At least 40 Division I schools were recruiting Crowell. Too bad Georgia lost.
CHDawg
November 1st, 2011
7:12 pm
Lie…Cheat…Steal=a good name for you.
Dawg4Life!!
November 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
u Guys/women need to chill! Crowell, Mitchell, Drew, Jones, Bennett, King, I can go on and on. BALLAS, all of them. WHo cares what happended serve suspension, whatever, last week this week, last year…WHATEVER.. Every Georgia Fan should be thanking these players for allowing us “THE FAN” to enjoy a great year of football, and hopefully many years of great football.. Georgia can put Jenkins back there in the backfield, and we’ll chalk up a W. THANK U DEFENSE. THANK U COACHES FOR PLAYING TO WIN THE GAME!! THANKS MURRAY!! THANK U GEORGIA FOOTBALL….Good LUCK…I think U can run out…And whip ALABAMA OR LSU!! Go Dawgs
ATL Sports Fan
November 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
You people are pathetic. I was in Baton Rouge the week the LSU players were suspended for possibly the same thing. Guess what? Coach Miles told reporters that he would not speak about it and the local paper and news reporters pretty much dropped it.
These kids made a mistake with synthetic marajunia that you can purchase at a gas station.
Mark Richt snake oil salesman
November 1st, 2011
7:16 pm
I told Adams and McGarity the rumor about failed drug tests was not true. They bought it !!! Ain’t I good!
Jordan
November 1st, 2011
7:17 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/11/01/uga-suspends-3-rbs/
monty
November 1st, 2011
7:21 pm
Coaches should not only look at athletic ability, but give some sort of psych test to determine if they will have “attitude” problems . Start only recruiting kids from good families without issues. This is embarassing.
WestOfAthens
November 1st, 2011
7:21 pm
SECOND Suspension for Crowell
Isiah Crowell, True Freshman, hopefully will learn from whatever endeavor brought him to this point.
This team is larger than any individual player, be part of the solution, not the problem.
HBTD
Stay classy Georgia
November 1st, 2011
7:29 pm
another surprise? No. Win at any cost and everybody knew at Georia. You folks at Georgia can deny that nobody knew all you want.
James
November 1st, 2011
7:30 pm
@ GT Joe
Seems to me that Tech has been resting it’s players in the Georgia game for 9 out of the last 10 years.Stop down playing the game the Tech nation would trade a victory over Clemson for one over Georgia anytime.
Dawggone
November 1st, 2011
7:31 pm
Malcome has to be just D U M B. This would have an opportunity of a lifetime for him. He could have made a lasting impression on the coaches and pushed himself into the spotlight.
Gatorbreath
November 1st, 2011
7:32 pm
We want a rematch considering the latest developments with GA discipline.
Keep wearing those binders Georgia hicks
November 1st, 2011
7:33 pm
it didn’t happen….I’ll close my eyes and it will go away.
James
November 1st, 2011
7:34 pm
@GT Joe
If it was weed I wonder if they got from Ruben Houston..
bitter taste
November 1st, 2011
7:35 pm
weed eaters———-pot heads——–due-bee————-crowell cant carry hershal’s 5th personnality
———————————pack more than your bong crow face——and you mall–fee–cc–ee-s
——————————————gone like a bad habit————–come on richt—–be a hard noise
—————————for once—————saint slick
gbal
November 1st, 2011
7:35 pm
common man… Lesson 1 in random drug testing…. Make it random…. Never test all your RBs in the same week…. Common man?????
,,,,
11/1/2011 Evening Edition | collegefootballnewswire.com
November 1st, 2011
7:36 pm
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