Nick Marshall cited for marijuana possession
- Malzahn %27very disappointed%27 in starting quarterback
AUBURN -- Nick Marshall was cited for misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of marijuana during a traffic stop in Reynolds, Georgia, Friday afternoon.
Reynolds Police Chief Lonnie Holdertold WMAZ that Marshall was pulled over while driving east on Georgia Highway 96 at 12:19 p.m. CT Friday for having tinted windows. Auburn's starting quarterback was cited for a window tint violation and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, both misdemeanors, and was not arrested.
"I am aware of the situation that happened earlier today with Nick," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement released late Friday. "I'm very disappointed and I will address it with him accordingly."
Marshall has a court date set for Sept. 10 at 9 a.m., but would not need to appear if he pays a $1,000 fine for the marijuana charge, according to numerous reports. A window tint violation carries a fine of $99.57, according to the Reynolds, Georgia Municipal Court website.
Marshall, who is widely considered a Heisman Trophy candidate as he returns for his senior season at Auburn, is scheduled to appear at SEC Media Days on Monday in Hoover.
Marshall threw for 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns while helping lead the Tigers to a 12-2 record, the SEC Championship and a loss to Florida State in the BCS title game.
He was set to be the first returning quarterback for Malzahn in his eight years coaching at the college level, and first at Auburn since Brandon Cox in 2007.
According to the Auburn athletics drug policy, listed on the department website, the penalties for a positive drug test or the voluntary disclosure of a banned substance include weekly drug testing and the attending of drug counseling meetings but no loss of playing time for a first-time offender.
A second positive test would result in twice weekly testing, counseling and a suspension for 50 percent of the team's game, while a third offense would lead to an athlete being kick off the team.
Auburn is also dealing with the legal trouble of cornerback Jonathon Mincy, who was arrested for possession of marijuana on June 27 in Henry County. Mincy's status with the program has not been addressed publicly and he is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 12.
These incidents are believed to be the first offenses for Marshall and Mincy, who are both seniors.
Malzahn dismissed Demetruce McNeal less than a day following his arrest for possession of marijuana in Aug. 2013. McNeal, who transferred to West Alabama and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers, maintained his innocence and entered a pre-trail diversion program.
Cornerback Kalvaraz Bessent was one of four arrested for possession of marijuana two days after National Signing Day, but the charges were later dropped and he was permitted to join the team on "probationary status."
Auburn commit and former 2013 signee Jason Smith, now the quarterback at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was arrested in March for second-degree possession of marijuana and two counts of eluding the police in Mobile. He was permitted to play for MGCCC in the spring and his trial date is set for Aug. 7.
Auburn is still recruiting Smith at this time.
Marshall began his playing career at Georgia as a cornerback and was one of three players dismissed from the team in Feb. 2012 for an incident reportedly involving stealing from a teammate.
After playing quarterback at Garden City Community College in Kansas in 2012, Marshall transferred to Auburn in 2013.
The Georgia state record holder for career touchdown passes, Marshall threw for 103 scores while playing at Wilcox County.