Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State senior running back Washaun Ealey was suspended from the team after being arrested Wednesday morning on drug possession charges.
The Ohio Valley Conference university 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 his 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.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.