Updated

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) Wake Forest starting defensive tackle Zeek Rodney is taking a leave of absence from the university this year.

Coach Dave Clawson said Tuesday that Rodney ''has some personal issues that he is currently addressing.''

Rodney is expected to return to the football program in 2017.

He is a 6-foot-1, 295-pound junior from Rock Hill, South Carolina, who had 22 tackles and two stops behind the line of scrimmage while starting all 12 games last season.