Alabama tailback Dee Hart arrested on marijuana possession charges

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Alabama reserve tailback Dee Hart was arrested Sunday by Tuscaloosa police on the charges of marijuana possession and providing false information.

He was released from jail after posting $1,300 bond, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Hart rushed 22 times for 78 yards this past season as a redshirt sophomore, and he made nine tackles on special teams. Alabama released a statement Monday claiming that the 5-foot-9, 187-pounder from Orlando has not been with the program since the Crimson Tide capped their 11-2 season with a surprising loss to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.

"Hopefully he will learn from this mistake and continue to work toward completing his degree, which he is on track to do by the summer," the university statement read.

Alabama used the tailback tandem of T.J. Yeldon and Kenyon Drake for most of last season. That changed in the bowl game, when Yeldon teamed with Derrick Henry, who erupted for a 43-yard touchdown run and a 61-yard scoring reception.

Hart was an early enrollee in Alabama's 2011 class, when he entered as a Rivals.com five-star prospect and the No. 1 all-purpose back nationally. He tore an ACL during the summer of 2011 and again midway through the 2012 season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.