G-DAY GAME
When: Saturday at 4 p.m.Where: Sanford StadiumTelevision: ESPNU
Two of Georgia's six 2016 early enrollees, defensive lineman Julian Rochester and defensive back Chad Clay, did not practice Tuesday after spending Monday night in the Athens-Clarke County jail.
Rochester and Clay were arrested on felony charges of having a weapon in a school zone and second-degree criminal damage. The two 19-year-olds used a BB gun at their dorm room and damaged cabinets, ceiling tiles, doors, light fixtures, walls and a refrigerator.
According to the police incident report, the damage has been estimated between $835 and $1,035, and drug-related objects were found in a subsequent investigation.
"I am extremely disappointed in them, and they will suffer the consequences," coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday night in a news conference. "Their situation will be handled in an appropriate manner. This conduct will not be tolerated."
Smart added that both players didn't practice in order to take care of school work they missed Tuesday morning, when each was being released on $2,000 bond.
The Bulldogs held their 13th spring practice, working out for two hours. They will practice again Thursday before holding Saturday's G-Day game at Sanford Stadium, which Smart is hoping will have a capacity crowd.
Smart said Rochester and Clay could practice Thursday, but he has not decided whether the two will play at G-Day.
"It's just sad, because both of those kids were improving on the football field," Smart said. "To make a decision so dumb really saddens me, because it embarrasses all of us. It embarrasses our university, and it embarrasses them and their families."
The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Rochester was a top-100 national prospect in the 2016 signing class according to ESPN, Scout.com and 247Sports.com. He is from the Atlanta suburb of Powder Springs and has played some first-team snaps this spring.
Georgia already has experienced setbacks on the defensive line, with sophomores Jonathan Ledbetter and Chauncey Rivers facing suspensions to start the 2016 season. Ledbetter was arrested late last month on misdemeanor charges of underage possession of alcohol and possession of false identification, and Rivers had a second marijuana-related arrest in December.
Clay, a 6-foot, 180-pounder from Marietta, was rated by ESPN and Scout.com as a four-star prospect.
When asked about possible suspensions for Rochester and Clay, Smart said, "We're not making any rash or quick decisions. We've got to see this whole thing through, find everything out, get to them and visit them."
As for the quarterback situation at G-Day, Smart said one among Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Jacob Eason probably will have to play for both teams.
"There is not a lot of separation between them," Smart said. "It's been a seesaw battle, and I think G-Day will figure in a lot in our decision."
Smart cited sophomore receiver Shaquery Wilson as one of the unsung heroes of the spring. With Nick Chubb and Brendan Douglas rehabbing injuries and with A.J. Turman deciding to transfer, Wilson has practiced quite a bit at tailback recently behind Sony Michel and Tae Crowder.
Wilson played in just two games last season and did not have a reception.
"I didn't think we could get through the spring and to G-Day with the number of backs we had," Smart said. "I saw him split our defense once today, and he has done a good job overall. It depends on the depth if he will stay in that spot."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.