Georgia junior inside linebacker Natrez Patrick was arrested Thursday night by Athens-Clarke County police on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and parking where prohibited.
It is the second marijuana-related arrest for the 6-foot-3, 234-pounder from Atlanta since the start of his college career, and he could be facing a four-game suspension that may start with today's game at Vanderbilt. According to university policy, a second marijuana-related arrest results in a suspension of 30 percent of that student-athlete's season.
Patrick was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in November 2015 and missed one game his freshman year.
Georgia already is expected to be without senior inside linebacker Reggie Carter, who suffered an undisclosed injury early in last week's 41-0 win at Tennessee. Carter had his helmet taken from him on the sideline in Knoxville.
Roquan Smith, who leads the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs with 38 tackles through five games, could be joined today in the starting lineup at inside linebacker by freshman Monty Rice, who has 11 tackles.
Patrick, who is tied for third on the team with 17 tackles, was booked Thursday at 11:37 p.m., according to the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's online report. He was released Friday morning at 12:25 on bonds totaling $1,500.
Georgia athletic officials had not responded to Patrick's arrest as of Friday night.
Bulldogs land Fields
News of Patrick's arrest was countered by Georgia getting a commitment from Justin Fields, the 6-3, 221-pound dual-threat quarterback from the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw. Fields committed to Penn State early in the recruiting process and also considered Auburn, Florida and LSU before ultimately picking the Bulldogs over Florida State.
Fields is the No. 1 overall prospect nationally according to ESPN and the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He is No. 2 nationally according to Rivals.com and Scout.com, with each of those services listing him behind a fellow in-state quarterback, Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville, who is committed to Clemson.
By landing Fields, the Bulldogs vaulted to No. 11 in the 247Sports team rankings for the 2018 cycle.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.