No suspension for Georgia's Natrez Patrick, Roquan Smith

Georgia inside linebackers Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith will not be suspended after an incident in which they were investigated for possession of marijuana.

Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity announced that after a drug screening, which the two players passed, they will not face any disciplinary action.

"After receiving an incident report last week, we determined that neither Roquan Smith nor Natrez Patrick had violated any Athletic Association rules that would require suspension," McGarity said. "This included drug testing, which was negative for both student-athletes."

Patrick and Smith both received a visit from police two weeks ago after a McWhorter Hall resident assistant reported a smell of marijuana coming from Patrick's dorm room.

Neither player was arrested as police determined there was no marijuana of testable quantity on the premises.

Patrick denied using marijuana but said he and Smith smoked Black ‘N Mild cigars.

Police searched the dorm room and found confiscated the following objects: A bottle of Arizona strawberry iced tea with a hidden compartment Patrick said was used to hold marijuana when he’s been in possession of it in the past, a green “smoke buddy” to help mask the smell of marijuana, tobacco gutted from Black ‘N Mild cigars, several lighters and towels that were pushed up against door cracks.

For Patrick, it was the third time he'd been involved with an incident involving police. The first time, Patrick was arrested alongside former Georgia defensive lineman Chauncey Rivers while in possession of marijuana inside a campus parking deck.

The second time, Patrick was in a vehicle that was pulled over with Rivers and Rico McGraw in the car. Only Rivers was found in possession of marijuana and therefore was arrested. Neither Patrick nor McGraw was arrested during this brief investigation.

"Since November 2015, I have dedicated myself to moving forward. I'm blessed to have done that despite hurdles I've had to clear," Patrick said. "This incident was simply another hurdle and I was confident I would successfully clear it. I'll continue to move forward and I'm anxious to play on Saturday."

This is the first time Smith has been in any kind of trouble or issue with police.

"As a student at the University of Georgia and a member of the football team, I take this opportunity very seriously," Smith said. "I have followed the rules of the Athletic Association and I am happy this situation has been rightfully resolved. I look forward to representing my school and my team on Saturday in Jacksonville, (Florida)."

This is good news for Georgia on the football field, especially with its annual rivalry game against Florida coming up. Patrick leads Georgia with 42 tackles and Smith is right behind him with 39.

"We brought those matters to a conclusion (Monday) and I’m happy for those two young men," head coach Kirby Smart said. "They get to move on to football and not have to deal with a distraction. I will say that on the field, both of these two young men have been exemplary and leaders, especially as sophomores. I think I mentioned before that Natrez and Roquan have just started to be vocal, maybe since the Ole Miss game, which is tough when you’re a sophomore because you’re at the bottom half of the leadership. Those kids have done that and they've a good job of being leaders."

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 11:04 AM with the headline "No suspension for Georgia's Natrez Patrick, Roquan Smith."