ATHENS — The University of Georgia has confirmed that two of its freshmen football players were in the Clarke County Jail Tuesday morning, each facing two felony charges.
Chad Clay, a defensive back, and Julian Rochester, a defensive lineman, were both charged with second-degree criminal damage and having a weapon in a school zone, according to the booking site for Athens-Clarke County.
According to an email sent to media by the University of Georgia Tuesday morning, the charges were related to possession of a BB gun and property damage.
"I'm disappointed with the poor judgement of Julian and Chad," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. "We expect full compliance with the policies of the University and of our football program from all our student-athletes. Information is still being gathered, but they will be disciplined in an appropriate manner."
Rochester and Clay are both early enrollees practicing with the team this spring: Rochester graduated from McEachern High School, Clay from Peachtree Ridge High School.
McEachern High School (@McEachernFtball) tweeted around 7:30 a.m.: "Julian will bounce back from his mistake of having a BB gun in his dorm room. Live & learn. Supporting our fellow Indian through this time."
Clay and Rochester, who live in an apartment on River Road, were each booked shortly after midnight. The weapons charge carries no bond, while the criminal damage charge has a $5,000 bond.
Defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter was arrested last month on two misdemeanor alcohol charges, making these the second and third arrests of a Georgia football player this offseason.
Defensive line depth has already taken a hit for Georgia's 2016 opener against North Carolina as Ledbetter is suspended for that game and fellow sophomore Chauncey Rivers is suspended the first three games after a second marijuana arrest.
Georgia will have a spring practice session this afternoon; the annual G-Day game is scheduled for Saturday.
