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Kirby Smart updates status of LB Natrez Patrick, WR Jayson Stanley
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Kirby Smart took time to update the status of LB Natrez Patrick and WR Jayson Stanley on Monday, and he indicated that both are still a part of the team and eligible to practice at this time.
Patrick and Stanley were both arrested following the Bulldogs win in the SEC Championship Game earlier this month. Patrick was arrested for possession of marijuana while Stanley was arrested for a DUI.
The matter appeared to be resolved Thursday after charges were dropped for Patrick while Stanley plead guilty to lesser charges of possession of marijuana and speeding. The marijuana that was recovered at the time of the arrest was found in the passenger seat occupied by Patrick, but he denied that he knew it was there while Stanley claimed the marijuana as his.
The issue resurfaced after a later report indicated Patrick had failed a separate drug test just days after his Dec. 2 arrest. While that is a separate case, the issue led to speculation about Patrick’s status with the team.
Smart addressed the media Monday and claimed that both Patrick and Stanley are eligible to remain with the team and practice under university policies. However, he would not address their status for the Rose Bowl at this time:
Natrez Patrick and Jayson Stanley are part of the UGA team still, but Kirby Smart did not say their status for the Rose Bowl. He said Patrick's pending legal matter in Athens-Clarke County will be handled when that is resolved.
— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) December 18, 2017
KIRBY: Under UGAAA polices both of those guys remain eligible to remain on the team and practice. We are following our policies without any exception.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) December 18, 2017
To be clear – we don't know the status of Patrick and Stanley for the Rose Bowl game and beyond.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) December 18, 2017
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
