UGA’s code of conduct for student-athletes does not call for an automatic dismissal for misdemeanor arrests. Yet defensive back Shaquille Jones found himself off the Georgia football team within hours of being accused of shoplifting on Sunday.
As it turns out, it was not the first time the freshman from Palm Bay, Fla., ran afoul of team policy, according to coach Mark Richt.
“I would say there was an accumulation of things,” said Richt, who declined to elaborate. “I wouldn’t say if another young man did something similar it would mean he’d lose his opportunity to be at Georgia. But all of these things are based on a lot of factors. So would I say it was just that one factor? No it was not.”
Jones’ ouster continued an alarming rate of attrition among defensive backs. He is the fourth member of the secondary who appeared in games this season to be lost for the season. Including players lost off last year’s squad, that leaves the Bulldogs down eight defensive backs.
“We’ve still got enough guys to be two-deep,” Richt said. “But we’re in desperate need of a great recruiting class in that area. I’ll say that.”
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