Furman University football coach Bruce Fowler dismissed three players and suspended two others indefinitely on Friday following an on-campus drug arrest.

Fowler, in his first year with the program, dismissed defensive end Aaron Riley, cornerback Jordan Griffin and  linebacker Tim Lawrence. Linebacker Sterling Johnson and free safety Nathan Wade also were suspended indefinitely. Johnson and Wade wiill have their student status determined by the university.
According to police reports, Riley, a sophomore, was arrested on campus Thursday evening for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, among other charges; Griffin, a junior, was charged with distribution of marijuana and possession of marijuana, among other charges; Lawrence, was charged with distribution of marijuana and possession of hashish with intent to distribute, among other charges; Johnson, a junior, was charged with interfering with police; and Wade, a sophomore, was cited for possession of marijuana when residue was found in his room during the execution of a search warrant.
"Unfortunately these young men put themselves in a situation where they violated team rules and the trust placed in them by their coaches, teammates, classmates, and entire university community, and now they face the consequences of their actions," first-year head football coach Bruce Fowler said in a university release. "As head football coach, I sincerely regret this and the impact it has on our program and our community."
Riley started six games last season and made 21 tackles; Griffin, a two-year starter, made 40 tackles last fall; Lawrence, a red-shirt freshman, made ten tackles for the Paladins; Johnson made 35 stops with two intercepitons; Wade had 63 tackles and he picked off three passes.
The Paladins, who were 5-6 last season, kick-off the 2011 season at Coastal Carolina on September 3. Appalachian State travels to Furman on November 5.

ASU NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES:

According to the Sports Network, free safety Mark LeGree of the Mountaineers, a three-time Buck Buchanan Award finalist, is listed a sixth-round pick in the National Football League draft. The NFL scouts feel LeGree has great instincts and that he's better against the pass than the run. LeGree ended his career with 22 interceptions, which ranks second in Southern Conference history. LeGree has the body strength, but his foot speed (4.56 seconds in the 40- yard dash) is a question mark. But LeGree is rated as the top defensive prospect from the Southern Conbference among FCS players in the NFL draft.
Linebacker D.J. Smith is being projected as a possible seventh-round pick,, but most likely a free-agent signee. Smith, who was primarily a weak-side linebacker at ASU, will move to inside linebacker at the pro level. Playing inside, according to NFL scouts, will allow Smith to cover running backs and tight ends in pass coverage. He is also being considered a valuable addition on return teams. He has great instincts, and finished his career as the FCS's active leader with 525 tackles. But speed is a concern. Smith has 4.7-plus speed in the 40, which isn't exceptionally fast for his position.
Offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore (six-foot-three, 308 pounds) is listed as a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft. But his stock has really gone upward since the NFLPA All-Star game in San Antonio, TX, on February 5. Kilgore, a converted tight end, really showed off his athleticism in that game. According to NFL scouts, his strength must improve. But Kilgore, who didn't get a lot of attention during his senior year at ASU, is considered as a find for the right team in the draft.
And like LeGree, Kilgore is listed as the top offensive prospect in the Southern Conference among FCS players in the NFL draft. The NFL draft will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York, April 28-30.