UGA linebacker suspended after alcohol violations

ATHENS, Ga. — Disappointment followed Akeem Hebron out the door of the University of Georgia.

Being suspended from school for two alcohol-related code of conduct violations was not the way the freshman linebacker wanted to be remembered at Georgia. But right now it is all he can think of.

"I'm disappointed in myself," Hebron said Tuesday. "The whole thing has been difficult."

A day earlier, the former Parade Magazine and USA Today All-American agreed to a suspension from school until January 2008. The signed resolution, obtained by the Journal-Constitution through open-records laws, stated Hebron "knowingly takes full responsibility for the incident."

In Hebron's case, it was two incidents. The 18-year-old was arrested for underage possession twice in a two-month period this spring. The first called for university probation, the second a university-imposed suspension.

Hebron said alcohol is not a problem for him. This was just a case of being away from home for the first time, in a new environment and "being a college kid."

Hebron, who was expected to compete for a top backup role after redshirting last season, said he now plans to enroll at Georgia Military College, play football in the fall and try to return to UGA in 2008.

Before he makes it back, Hebron would have to complete the Alcohol and Other Drug Advanced program offered at the university health center and meet with Brandon Frye, the assistant dean of students. Furthermore, he would be on probation until Dec. 15, 2009. Any breach of that probation could mean an expulsion from the university.

Hebron said he has learned his lesson and there would be no further problems. Bob Milloy, his coach at Good Counsel High in Gaithersburg, Md., was shocked there ever were any.

"He's a wonderful kid," Milloy said. "We never had any problems with him at all. I feel bad for the kid. I don't condone what he did. And I know he has to pay the price. But this is not something we ever saw out of him."

Hebron is the third player to be removed from UGA's team this school year.

John Miller, a freshman offensive lineman, was dismissed during the season for a violation of team rules following his arrest for underage possession. Antonio Sims, who had a history of code-of-conduct violations, agreed to leave the team in the fall.

Georgia also suspended offensive lineman Ian Smith for six games following two arrests for underage possession. Smith was not removed from the program because the university policy at that time only stated a student "may" be suspended after a second arrest while on probation from the first. That code-of-conduct policy was revised and consequences tightened before Hebron's arrests.

Hebron's path from the Bulldogs to GMC following problems is a familiar one for UGA. Former linebacker Odell Thurman was removed from the team for a semester and then welcomed back the next season.

Hebron said Georgia coach Mark Richt would welcome him back in January 2008 if he followed the necessary steps. Richt could not be reached for comment.

Carter Strickland writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.