Jacksonville, AL (Sports Network) - Jacksonville State senior running back
Washaun Ealey was arrested Wednesday morning on drug possession charges.
The Ohio Valley Conference university has ruled Ealey out of Saturday's home
opener against Chattanooga.
Ealey, 23, was charged with second-degree marijuana possession and possession
of drug paraphernalia - both misdemeanors - and later released by police, The
Anniston Star newspaper reported.
Ealey's arrest at 7:24 a.m. occurred after university officers searched
Ealey's campus apartment in response to a noise complaint.
"This is a violation of team policy," JSU athletics director Warren Koegel
told the Star. "He's suspended for this game against Chattanooga and we're
going through the proper channels according to the policy. ... Obviously this
is a concern and we're dealing with it. He will not play."
Ealey rushed for over 1,000 yards last season after transferring to
Jacksonville State from the University of Georgia.
He injured his right knee early in the Gamecocks' season-opening loss at
Arkansas last Saturday and finished with nine yards on four carries.
He has been considered a potential low-round NFL Draft prospect for 2013.
At Georgia, Ealey was arrested in August 2010 for hit and run of a parked
truck in a school parking deck and driving on a suspended license.
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