Auburn boots leading returning tackler, names starting QB

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn has dismissed his leading returning tackler Demetruce McNeal after the player was arrested for marijuana possession.

Safety McNeal, who had 90 tackles – including 53 solo ones – was caught alongside former players Jonathan Evans and Jawara White in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“After visiting with Demetruce, I made the decision to dismiss him from our team,” Malzahn said in a statement that was reported by the Montgomery Advertiser. “We have high expectations both on and off the field for our players.”

The player was charged with second degree possession of marijuana – which is only a misdemeanor in the eyes of the Auburn police.

In other news, Malzahn also said that Nick Marshall would be his starting quarterback, after fierce competition from Jeremy Johnson.