Washington CB Marcus Peters dismissed from team
Washington cornerback Marcus Peters has been dismissed from the team, coach Chris Petersen said in a statement on Thursday.
The dismissal was first reported by The Seattle Times.
According to the report, Peters has had a series of incidents with Washington coaches over the past week, culminating in an argument with an assistant coach during practice Wednesday that led to his dismissal. He also reportedly argued with coaches during the Huskies' victory at Colorado last Saturday and missed practice Tuesday.
Earlier this season, Peters was suspended one game after a sideline tantrum in Washington's win over Eastern Washington in the second week of the season. Peters was benched in the third quarter of that game after receiving a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for head-butting an opponent.
Here is the full statement on the dismissal, from The News Tribune in Tacoma:
Junior cornerback Marcus Peters was dismissed from the Washington football program last night, head coach Chris Petersen announced today.
“These are not decisions that are taken lightly,” Petersen said. “We have high standards for players in our program and they are held accountable when those standards are not met. I wish Marcus the best in the completion of his education and in achieving his football goals.”
The UW will continue to provide Peters’ scholarship through the completion of his education.
• SI.com's NFL draft Big Board: Peters is No. 16 prospect
Considered a first-round NFL draft prospect, Peters, a junior, has started for Washington since joining the team as a freshman.
Peters becomes the ninth player dismissed or suspended since February by Petersen, who is in his first season as Washington's head coach. Peters' dismissal also further weakens a Washington secondary that had already lost two players for the season due to injuries, including starting cornerback Jermaine Kelly.
True freshmen Sidney Jones and Budda Baker have been starting at cornerback and free safety, respectively, and Peters' dismissal leaves just two other true freshmen, Naijiel Hale and Darren Gardenhire, available as scholarship cornerbacks.
Peters, who was second team All-Pac-12 last season, led Washington with three interceptions and 10 passes defended and had 30 tackles. Washington ranks 113th in Division I-FBS in pass defense, allowing 275.3 passing yards per game.
• HAMILTON: Buckeyes QB Barrett embracing the spotlight
The Huskies are 6-3 and in fourth place in the Pac-12 North with a 2-3 conference record. They host No. 18 UCLA (7-2) on Saturday.
- Ben Estesand Chris Johnson
