FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas coach Houston Nutt kicked defensive tackle Jermaine Brooks off the team Wednesday after city police arrested Brooks on charges he sold and possessed 10½ pounds of mar1juana in his off-campus apartment. Brooks was charged late Tuesday with felonies alleging drug possession, drug distribution and simultaneous possession of several rifles and handguns. Officers found $16,841 in Brooks' apartment and also arrested a woman who was there with him. Nutt said that, when the phone rang at his home at 1:34 a.m. Wednesday, Brooks never emerged as someone who might be in trouble. Brooks, a team co-captain, earned his diploma in May in industrial technology and began this semester in graduate school. "The first call, it was like "Tell me this is not true,''' Nutt said. "J.B. responded that it was a terrible mistake. I can't believe it. I told him, 'You don't need money.''' The coach said he was disappointed in Brooks, but would not elaborate. Because he was from California, so far away from Fayetteville, Brooks spent more time at Nutt's home than any other Razorback. He also played with the coach's children and rode his horses. At 10 p.m. Tuesday, Fayetteville police executed a search warrant at Brooks' apartment and seized 7½ pounds of mar1juana, $16,841 in cash, several rifles and handguns and drug paraphernalia, including scales and plastic bags. Brooks sold 3 pounds of mar1juana at the apartment last week, a police report said. Police Chief Rick Hoyt said the local drug task force office learned that "a large quantity'' of mar1juana was being sold from Brooks' home. Brooks, 22, and Auburn Celeste Williams, 21, were arrested at the apartment, which is located on Leverett Street about 10 blocks northeast of Razorback Stadium. Brooks started all six games for Arkansas this year and has 14 tackles. Last season, Brooks started seven of 11 games and had 56 tackles. Arkansas (3-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) plays Mississippi at Fayetteville on Saturday. Brooks was charged with illegal delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia, which are all felony charges. Williams was charged with possession with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia. Brooks was taken to the Fayetteville City Jail following his arrest and he was transferred to Washington County Jail at 2 a.m. Wednesday, where he remained Wednesday afternoon. A release from Hoyt's office added that there was no connection to other Arkansas athletes. Police said the investigation is continuing. Brooks is the third Arkansas football player to be arrested this year. Defensive back Ken Hamlin pleaded guilty in July to second-offense driving while intoxicated and served nine days in jail. Running back Cedric Cobbs was found guilty on July 11 of mar1juana possession, driving while intoxicated and speeding, charges that stemmed from a Jan. 8 arrest. Cobbs was sentenced to 20 hours of community service, six months of probation and was fined $700. Neither Hamlin or Cobbs missed any games, but they were required to meet conditions set forth by Nutt to remain on the team. When asked if dealing with the Hamlin and Cobbs cases this summer affected his decision on Brooks' penalty, Nutt wouldn't say. "This is a totally separate incident and right now I'd rather just hold off on that question,'' Nutt said.
Wonder if Stoops has called yet? He and McGruder could be the starting DTs after Harris leaves. Although it would be hard to believe, the level of play by those two could be higher than when Tommie was in there. Ba-dum-bum!!! Thank you thank you very much. Don't forget to tip your waitress.
