Auburn safety Demetruce McNeal arrested on marijuana charge
By Brandon Marcello | bmarcello@al.com
AUBURN, Alabama -- Safety Demetruce McNeal was arrested on a possession of marijuana charge and booked recently into the Lee County Detention Center, according to jail records.
McNeal did not attend practice Saturday. Coach Gus Malzahn wants to learn more about the arrest before making a decision on the senior's future. Malzahn did not acknowledge or mention a legal issue during a press conference Saturday afternoon.
"We'll decide" on his future after gathering the facts, Malzahn said.
McNeal was the Tigers' leading returning tackler from last season and was expected to start despite missing 16 practices dating back to the spring. The boundary safety practiced for the first time in preseason camp Monday after undergoing surgery on a staph infection in the offseason.
McNeal's bond was set at $500, according to jail records.
The team's leading returning tackler (90 tackles) missed five practices in the spring because of "personal issues" and the first 11 of preseason camp due to the staph infection.
Cornerback Josh Holsey moved to safety in the spring to help with depth issues and will likely remain there with McNeal's situation. Former quarterback Kiehl Frazier moved to safety Monday after dropping out of the quarterback race.
That's freaking awesome.(http://www.tigersx.com/images/ellis_train.gif)
Wasn't he pretty much not going to play this season?Missed nearly all off-season and all fall practices...safe to say that. I mean he might've played some, but Auburn had already replaced him in the off-season.
And the grass in front of our opponents feet is now safe!