Sophomore safety Tray Matthews has been dismissed from Georgia’s football program. (David Scearce/Icon SMI)
Georgia will be without one of its brightest young stars on defense. The Bulldogs announced on Tuesday that sophomore safety Tray Matthews has been dismissed from the football program.
Georgia did not confirm a reason for Matthews’ dismissal, but head coach Mark Richt said in a statement that the Bulldogs “are trying to make room for guys who want to do things right.”
Earlier on Tuesday Matthews tweeted an apology to Georgia fans, saying he loves the Bulldogs’ family but “Auburn or Louisville will be my home.”
I'm sorry UGA family.I swear to God I love yal.I'm crying right now but I won't forget. Love the dawgs.Auburn or Louisville will be my home—
TriggaTray28-F$C (@Trigga_Tray28) June 03, 2014
Matthews was one of the most heralded recruits in the recruiting class of 2013, according to Rivals.com. A four-star prospect out of Newnan, Ga., Matthews played in eight games as a true freshman and made six starts. He recorded 36 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.
Matthews hasn’t been without his share of trouble, however. The safety was one of four Georgia players arrested for theft by deception in March. Richt told reporters after spring practice that he thought Matthews was starting to head in the right direction.
Mark Richt last week on Tray Matthews: "I think he's on a turning point of maturing some, and becoming a very dependable guy." (1/2)—
Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) June 03, 2014
(2/2) "I'm not saying he is a dependable guy, or has been at this point. But I have a feeling that that's his desire to become that."—
Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) June 03, 2014
This serves as the latest dismissal from a Bulldogs secondary that also ousted safety Josh Harvey-Clemons in February. Remember, Georgia’s former coordinator, Todd Grantham, now heads up the defense at Louisville, one of Matthews’ potential destinations.
