UGA freshman DB Shaquille Jones dismissed from team

UGA freshman defensive back Shaquille Jones has been dismissed from the team, head coach Mark Richt announced today.

“We have certain expectations and standards that we require of all our players,” Richt said via a release.  “When those expectations and standards are not met, the opportunity to be a part of our program is sacrificed.”

The release mentioned that Jones had not played in a game this season, but he is pictured as having lined up at cornerback against Troy (see above). A reason for the dismissal was not stated.

However, a Shaquille DeAndre Jones, DOB 1996, of Merritt Island, Florida was arrested this afternoon by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for misdemeanor theft by shoplifting. He was booked into jail at 2:16pm and released at 4:53pm after posting a $1,500 bond.

Shaq Jones (6-2, 176) was committed to Louisville, but flipped to UGA and signed with the Bulldogs back in February. 247Sports rated Jones as a 2-star recruit, the No. 198 cornerback, and the 334th overall player in Florida. Rivals.com rated Jones as a 2-star recruit, while Scout.com rates him three-stars.

Jones is the fourth defensive back to be dismissed from the Bulldogs this year. He joins safeties Tray Matthews (now at Auburn) and Josh Harvey-Clemons (now at Louisville), and cornerback Shaq Wiggins (also at Louisville).