UGA’s Elijah Holyfield arrested on drug charges in Athens

Elijah Holyfield was arrested Monday, May 1, 2017, in Athens on two misdemeanor drug charges.

Elijah Holyfield was arrested Monday, May 1, 2017, in Athens on two misdemeanor drug charges.

Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield was arrested early Monday on two misdemeanor drug charges in Athens.

Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, was charged with possession and use of drug related objects, and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, according to the Athens-Clarke County Jail web site.

A team spokesman said head coach Kirby Smart was aware of the incident.

UGA police are listed as the arresting agency. Holyfield was arrested at 3:19 a.m. and was released about an hour later at 4.08 a.m. on $4,050 bond.

Holyfield signed on to play at Georgia over Auburn in the 2016 recruiting class.

Holyfield, who will be a sophomore this year, played sparingly last year but was hoping for a larger role this year, even with stars Nick Chubb and Sony Michel back, as well as fellow rising sophomore Brian Herrien.

During Georgia’s spring game last month at Sanford Stadium, Holyfield carried the ball 15 times for 49 yards and a touchdown.

UGA's student-athlete drug policy calls for a one-game suspension for a marijuana arrest. Another UGA rising sophomore, receiver Riley Ridley, was arrested on a marijuana charge earlier this year.

Georgia opens the season at home Sept. 2 against Appalachian State. The Bulldogs play at Notre Dame the following week.

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