Georgia will reportedly enter the 2019 season down an experienced linebacker.

Anthony Dasher of Rivals reports that sophomore LB Brenton Cox has been dismissed from the team by coach Kirby Smart. The news was breaking while defensive coordinator Dan Lanning was addressing the media. Lanning deferred to Smart when a reporter asked about Cox and expectations for 2019.

“That’s a good question, I would actually leave that up to Coach Smart at this time,” Lanning said at his Monday press conference.

The former 5-star recruit from the 2018 class was set to enter his sophomore season with the Bulldogs. As a freshman, Cox recorded 20 tackles, including two for loss and one sack in 2018. Dasher writes that the reason for the dismissal, which reportedly occurred Sunday, was not known at the time. Cox was arrested in April for marijuana possession, a misdemeanor charge.

This is certainly a story that will continue to be followed as more comes out about the situation. Georgia opens its season on Aug. 31 on the road at Vanderbilt.

Coming out of Stockbridge, Georgia, Cox was rated the No. 2 strong-side defensive end, No. 5 Peach State product and No. 23 recruit overall nationally for the class of 2018 on the 247Sports Composite. He collected 25 scholarship offers and signed with UGA over Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee and others. Cox had committed to the Buckeyes on April 25, 2017, but decommitted on Dec. 6, 2017. He committed and signed to the Bulldogs on Dec. 20, 2017.