| Photo: NationalChamps.net |
| North Carolina’s Quan Sturdivant, a likely first-round draft choice in next year’s NFL draft, was arrested Saturday morning on marijuana charges. |
North Carolina star linebacker Quan Sturdivant, who was a first team All-ACC selection in 2009, was charged with possession of marijuana following his Saturday morning arrest.
Sturdivant, 21, of Oakboro, N.C., was arrested by Albermarle police and charged with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana, misdemeanor, reports the Raleigh News & Observer.
The senior linebacker was pulled over at Bojangles’ at 11:15 a.m., according to police, reports Jonathan Jones at The Daily Tar Heel.
“We are disappointed in Quan’s actions over the weekend,” said North Carolina football coach Butch Davis.
“This is not the type of behavior we expect from our student-athletes,” Davis said. “In addition to the outcome of the legal process, he will also face disciplinary action from within the football program beginning immediately.”
Last year, Sturdivant was the first Tar Heel linebacker named first-team All-ACC since 1997, according to the school’s website.
Sturdivant appears on the promo for UNC’s season opener against LSU on tarheelblue.com. The team has not yet said whether he will be suspended for the Heels’ opening game.
He is listed by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as the top senior inside linebaker for the 2011 NFL Draft and is likely to play an integral role on this year’s UNC team, according to The Daily Tar Heel.
Sturdivant led the team with 79 tackles last year, and returned one fumble 49 yards for a touchdown.
UNC fullback Antony Elzy was arrested last summer for a similar misdemeanor marijuana charge. He was disciplined by the team, but did not miss any games, reports Ben Gellman at 1360 WCHL.
Sturdivant is scheduled to appear August 2 in Stanly County District Court.