Auburn's top returning tackler booted off team
Auburn dismissed safety Demetruce McNeal from the program on Saturday after he was arrested on a marijuana charge.
McNeal, the Tigers' leading returning tackler, was charged with misdemeanor second degree marijuana possession, according to the the Opelika-Auburn News. He was booked into the Lee County Detention Center early Saturday morning.
Coach Gus Malzahn met with McNeal and told him he had decided to remove him from the team. McNeal was not at Auburn's early Saturday practice.
"I need to find out the facts before (I decide)," Malzahn said. "But I always do what's best for our team."
The senior had missed part of spring practice because of personal issues and the early part of fall camp with a staph infection.
McNeal made 19 starts during the previous two seasons and had 90 tackles in 2012.
Stepping in to fill McNeal's spot likely will be Joshua Holsey, who started six games at cornerback in 2012.
