Advertisement

Two Georgia early enrollees, including Top 10 defensive tackle, charged in BB gun incident

Georgia early enrollee defensive lineman Julian Rochester speaks with members of the media during National Signing Day at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Athens Banner-Herald, AJ Reynolds) MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT ORG XMIT: GAATH109

Georgia early enrollee defensive lineman Julian Rochester speaks with members of the media during National Signing Day (Photo: AJ Reynolds, Athens Banner Herald via Associated Press)

Two Georgia football early enrollees, including a defensive tackle ranked in the top 10 in the Class of 2016, were charged with two felonies for possessing and shooting a BB gun, police said.

As reported by DawgNation.com and others, All-American defensive tackle Julian Rochester and defensive back Charles Clay were charged with having a weapon in a school zone and criminal damage in the second degree. The report cited the online booking site for Athens-Clarke County.

They were booked shortly after midnight and remained in jail early Tuesday morning.

Rochester, a four-star recruit from McEachern High (Powder Springs, Ga.), played in the Army All-American Bowl and was ranked as the No. 10 defensive tackle in the class and No. 68 player overall, according to the 247Sports Composite. Rochester was the Georgia state AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year last fall.

Clay was a three-star recruit from Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.) and was ranked among the top 50 cornerbacks.

In a statement, coach Kirby Smart said, “I’m disappointed with the poor judgment of Julian and Chad. 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.”

Shortly after the news broke, Rochester’s high school alma mater, tweeted a message of support:

More Stories

5-star recruit Duce Robinson commits to USC Trojans

Robinson looks to Southern California for his next football chapter.

Read the full article

Bronny James ranks No. 1 among nation's top 10 highest NIL valuations

Here are the top 10 NIL valuations for amateur athletes in the nation, per ESPN.

Read the full article

Current high school NIL rules in each of the 50 states (plus D.C.)

A current rundown that shows which states have adopted rules in favor of high school athletes benefiting from name, image and likeness.

Read the full article
More News