Since landing one of the top running backs in the country on signing day this past February, Georgia has seen two of their leading rushers the past two years leave the program due to academics and an outright transfer.
In fact, depth is such an issue that the Bulldogs decided to move Richard Samuel back to running back after moving him to linebacker last year. Unfortunately for the UGA coaching staff, however, the attrition at the position has reportedly continued Monday.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and citing three sources familiar with the situation, UGA has suspended RB Carlton Thomas for at least the season opener against Boise State. The paper reports that the suspension stems from a violation of unspecified team rules back in the spring.
The reason for the “at least” description on the suspension is because, per school policy, Thomas has to sit out 10 percent of UGA’s 12 games. That means the suspension could be for two games if the school decides to round the number up, although the Journal-Constitution notes that similar situations recently have resulted in just a one-game suspension.
The school has yet to comment on the report, with UGA athletic director Greg McGarity telling the paper that "[i]f we have any announcements regarding suspensions, they’ll be made at the appropriate time.”
Thanks to the attrition at the position, Thomas is UGA’s leading returning rusher with 272 yards and two touchdowns last season. Thomas, a three-star member of UGA’s 2008 recruiting class, played in 15 games the past two seasons, and will be a redshirt junior in 2011.