One former Alabama player has already moved on to another SEC program. Another ex-Tide footballer expected to do the same apparently won’t.
Exactly a week ago today, junior college transfer Tyren Jones announced that he had committed to South Carolina and would continue his collegiate playing career with the Gamecocks in 2016. However, 247Sports.com is reporting that the running back will not be a part of Will Muschamp‘s first Gamecocks signing class.
Citing unnamed sources, the recruiting website reports that academic issues have derailed Jones’ intention to restart his FBS career in Columbia.
In late March of last year, Jones was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of marijuana. Jones was already in Nick Saban’s doghouse at the time, suspended in the middle of February for what was described as “conduct not to the standard of the Alabama football program.” Jones also served a one-game suspension in October of last year.
Just a few hours after his arrest became public knowledge, Alabama announced that he had been dismissed from the football program.
A four-star member of UA’s 2013 recruiting class, Jones was rated as the No. 11 running back in the country. After redshirting as a true freshman, Jones was the Tide’s fourth-leading rusher in 2014 with 36 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
At Hutchinson Community College, he rushed for 655 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and five touchdowns in 2015.