Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, in his opening remarks at SEC Football Media Days on Monday, talked about the Tigers losing “some great players” off last year’s team, which lost to Florida State in the BCS national championship game. “But we have a lot of experienced players back.”
One of those experienced players Malzahn is counting on is quarterback Nick Marshall. The former UGA player was scheduled to be at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel on Monday but was scratched Sunday night following his Friday arrest for possession of marijuana. Tight end S.J. Uzomah of Suwanee filled in.
“It is a privilege and a reward to represent Auburn University at SEC Media Days,” Malzahn told reporters who filled the Grand Ballroom early Monday afternoon. “Last Friday Nick lost that privilege.”
Malzahn said he has yet decided on disciplinary measures for Marshall or whether he would be allowed in Auburn’s season opener against Arkansas, which is scheduled to kick off the television coverage for the new SEC Network on Aug. 30.
“I’m not to that point yet,” Malzahn said. “We’ll see.”
Marshall began his career as a cornerback at Georgia but was dismissed in the spring before his sophomore year for his role in the dorm room theft of cash from a teammate. He returned to quarterback — the position he played at Wilcox County High School — at Garden City (Kan.) Community College the next season, then signed with the Tigers as a quarterback the next year. He earned the starting job for Auburn before last season and led the team with 234.2 yards total offense a game.
“I’m hoping he learns he a lesson,” Malzahn said. “I know he’s remorseful, and that’s a start.”
Malzahn was terse when asked how he felt about the use of marijuana among college athletes. “We have school rules and team rules we abide by,” he said.
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