Georgia sophomore defensive end Chauncey Rivers was dismissed from the football team Friday by first-year Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart.
Rivers became the last player arrested in the Mark Richt era and the first of the Smart era when he was charged with marijuana possession in early November and again in mid-December. The 6-foot-3, 272-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Stone Mountain was arrested for a third time for marijuana possession Wednesday in DeKalb County.
"It's extremely disappointing," Smart said in a released statement. "He's been given previous opportunities to remain on our football team but continues to exhibit a lack of good judgment and commitment to the standards we require and expect from our players.
"He's put himself in a difficult position, but we hope he finds a path that will provide some direction in his future."
Rivers was suspended for the Bulldogs' 27-3 win over Kentucky in November and their 24-17 win over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl in January, and he already was scheduled to miss the first three games of the 2016 season. He played in four games and made four tackles last season, including three in the 13-7 win at Georgia Tech, which wound up being his final game.
A consensus four-star prospect in the 2015 signing class, Rivers racked up 99 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles as a Stephenson High School senior.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.