ATHENS — Georgia defensive end Michael Lemon was suspended by coach Mark Richt on Thursday after he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery and felony aggravated battery.
Lemon's arrest followed an alleged fight with another University of Georgia student on Saturday. Lemon allegedly punched DeMarius Jackson, who suffered a fractured left eye socket.
Georgia issued a statement which referred to athletic association policy that a student-athlete charged with a felony offense is given an indefinite suspension pending an investigation.
Lemon's arrest closely followed the arrests of two players, offensive linemen Justin Anderson and Trinton Sturdivant, on misdemeanor battery charges on Monday night. The arrests followed accusations that they rubbed the stomach of a pregnant woman, Trina Bailey, without permission.
Seven Georgia players have been arrested since the end of the 2007 season.
"I'm certainly disappointed in a few of our players who have made poor decisions during the offseason," Richt said. "It is of great concern and we take it very seriously. They will be dealt with accordingly and will pay a price. Each one will be disciplined based on the severity of their actions."
Lemon, a sophomore, is a third-string defensive end. He was booked at the Athens-Clarke County jail Thursday morning and released on $2,500 bond.
Richt said that sophomore offensive guard Clint Boling will be suspended for the first two games of the season following an alcohol-related arrest in the spring.
Senior defensive end Jeremy Lomax, charged in early June with speeding and carrying a concealed weapon, has been exonerated of the concealed weapon charge.
Richt also said he is "extremely excited about what the vast majority of our team has been doing on a daily basis this summer."
Richt noted "virtually every one of our players is giving back to the community this summer." The coach listed his players joining a mission trip to Honduras and working on projects for Habitat for Humanity, at Camp Sunshine and other projects.
Richt said the football team posted a 3.23 grade point average in the most recent semester.