Following up on a report from earlier today, one of the top defensive backs in the Pac-12 was indeed on the receiving end of a boot.
In a press release, head coach Chris Petersen confirmed that Marcus Peters has been dismissed from his Washington football program. According to Petersen, the dismissal came Wednesday night.
“These are not decisions that are taken lightly,” the first-year UW coach said in a statement. “We have high standards for players in our program and they are held accountable when those standards are not met. I wish Marcus the best in the completion of his education and in achieving his football goals.”
Interestingly, the release added that “UW will continue to provide Peters’ scholarship through the completion of his education.”
The dismissal comes nearly two months after Peters, in an early-season game against Eastern Washington, was seen throwing his helmet and gloves on the ground and arguing with Washington assistants. Petersen in turn slapped the player with a one-game suspension; suffice to say, that lesson didn’t take.
It was then reported that, in the span of five days since Saturday, Peters got into a verbal altercation with coaches on the sidelines during the Week 11 game against Colorado; skipped practice Tuesday for unknown reasons; and, finally, got into yet another verbal altercation with an assistant during Wednesday’s practice.
Prior to his suspension, Peters had started 22 of 23 games at corner for the Huskies. He’s started five of the six games since his suspension ended as well, and currently leads the team with three interceptions. As a redshirt junior, Peters will likely make himself available for the 2015 NFL draft, although how pro teams will view him in light of these “incidents” is unknown.
Also, with Peters officially out, Petersen confirmed that true freshman Naijiel Hale will start in his place. That means the Huskies will start three true freshmen in the secondary.