Ole Miss freshman wide receiver Sammie Epps of Greenwood is embarrassed after his arrest last week, according to his former high school coach.
Greenwood High School football coach Clinton Gatewood said he spoke briefly with Epps Tuesday after the news of his arrest broke. Epps was arrested by the Oxford Police Department last Friday and charged with driving with no driver’s license and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.
“Sammie told me that he had a driver’s license but just not with him because he was just running to the store real quick and wound up going through a road block,” Gatewood said. “He said he was in someone else’s car and that the small amount of marijuana found wasn’t his.
“Sammie will be OK. Hopefully, he learned a good lesson.”
A night before Ole Miss’ annual fan day, Epps was arrested and booked into the Lafayette County Detention Center at 11 p.m. Friday, according to the jail docket. He was bailed out and is scheduled to appear in municipal court.
Epps was released from jail the next morning after posting bond and was still at Saturday’s Meet the Rebels day.
Epps was also seen at practice on Monday, but Tuesday’s practice was closed to the media.
“We are aware of the matter and will address it once we have gathered more facts,” coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement Tuesday.
Epps is having a productive preseason camp after being moved from tight end to slot receiver early on. The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder has earned praise from Ole Miss coaches and players alike.
A four-star prospect according to Scout.com, Epps signed with Ole Miss out of GHS after earning the MVP honor for Mississippi in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic.
Epps is working behind Quincy Adeboyejo and Cody Core at slot receiver, and competing with fellow freshman Markell Pack at that position as well.
No. 18 Ole Miss begins its season on Aug. 28 against Boise State.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
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