Even with the start of a new season fast approaching, Florida’s offseason of off-field discontent continues.
Firstcoastnews.com was the first to report Thursday that linebacker Ventrell Miller and James Robinson were both cited for marijuana possession on Monday. Police were called to an on-campus apartment by a residential assistant who smelled the “strong odor of burning cannabis” coming from one of the rooms. From the website’s report:Once inside the room, officers found a cloud of smoke and a styrofoam cup that police say appeared to be used as an ash tray. Robinson and Miller were in the room.
Officers asked Robinson where the cannabis was and he said it was in his top drawer. There were two small bags of marijuana and Robinson and Miller admitted to each owning one of the bags, the report says.
Can confirm reports #Gators LB Ventrell Miller & WR James Robinson were cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession early Monday morning
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) August 24, 2017
#Gators WR James Robinson has not been away from practice this week and no arrests were made. Both players just issued notice to appear.
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall_) August 24, 2017
Miller, a freshman, is one of seven Gator football players suspended for the opener against Michigan. This incident is unrelated to that suspension, raising the specter that it could extend beyond the opener -- if he’s still a part of the team.
This is Robinson’s second brush with the law involving weed this year.
Robinson was arrested for a pot possession offense during an official visit to Ohio State in late January. As a result of his arrest, Florida reportedly was set to prevent Gators head coach Jim McElwain from adding Robinson to their recruiting class. However, he did end up signing with the Gators this past February and was the team’s second-highest-rated recruit, behind only offensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton.
Earlier this month, he was finally cleared academically and enrolled at the university.
Per a school official, it’s expected that the football program will issue a statement on the incident at some point this afternoon.