Georgia inside linebacker Marcus Dowtin has been given an unconditional release to transfer to another institution, the university announced Tuesday.

Dowtin just finished his junior season, earning starts against Kentucky and Florida, but did not play New Year's Eve in the 10-6 loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.

The 6-foot-2, 226-pounder from Maryland was involved in an altercation at a bar last spring in his home state. He knocked a man unconscious in that incident and was charged with second-degree assault but was never arrested. Bulldogs coach Mark Richt was not made aware of the incident until recently.

In his three seasons in Athens, Dowtin made six starts and amassed 131 tackles, including 11.5 for lost yardage.