ATHENS — Georgia starting linebacker Natrez Patrick has resolved his probation violation case stemming from a drug arrest and entered in-patient treatment.
But Patrick, who was not at Georgia’s practice Thursday, won’t play in the Rose Bowl, according to his lawyer, Billy Healan. Georgia faces Oklahoma on Jan. 1 in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
“I believe he should still be on the team,” Healan said. “We are hoping for a full recovery and a good season next year.”
Healan said he wouldn’t speak to the type or length of the treatment due to confidentiality concerns. Court documents from Athens-Clarke County say Patrick agreed to enter an in-patient facility in Augusta.
“Natrez is receiving treatment for his personal issues and we look forward to the completion of that treatment so he can put this behind him,” Healan said. “This resolves all his legal matters.”
UGA released a statement from Ron Courson, the senior associate athletics director and director of sports medicine.
“Due to confidentiality requirements, we can’t comment, other than to say we continue to follow policies, and we have no higher priority than the well-being of our student-athletes,” Courson said.
Patrick agreed to waive a planned hearing for Jan. 11, at which he would answer an allegation that he tested positive for marijuana, violating his probation. The documents say that Patrick had positive drug tests twice in Athens-Clarke County over the past three weeks.
Patrick was on his third strike on UGA’s student-athlete drug policy, but athletics director Greg McGarity said Sunday that a probation violation did not fall under UGA’s policy. He did not elaborate.
On Thursday, Healan reiterated his view that the probation violation was not a violation of the UGA substance abuse policy.
“I stand by that opinion,” Healan said.
Patrick, who is 20 years old, was on probation in Athens-Clarke County for an October arrest for misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was then cited for marijuana possession in Barrow County the night of Dec. 2, and although that charge was later dismissed, it triggered a drug test for a probation violation on Dec. 6, which was positive for marijuana, or “THC” as listed on the probation document.
A second test this past Tuesday also turned up positive, for what on court documents is listed as “opiates,” as well as alcohol.
Patrick started seven games for Georgia this season, including the SEC Championship Game, sitting out four games because of a suspension for the October arrest. He is sixth on the team in tackles this year, with 35, after finishing second on the team last year.
