Senior Devon Smith had an opportunity to be a big contributor in Penn State's new offense, but instead the diminutive receiver couldn't stay out of trouble and has been dismissed from the football team.
Both Lions247.com, which broke the story, and The Daily Collegian confirmed the news about Smith through anonymous sources on Wednesday. Smith was listed as a first-team receiver on Penn State's summer depth chart released June 5.
Penn State spokesman Jeff Nelson did not know of any changes to Smith's status when contacted by the Mirror. Smith's high school coach, Dom Zaccarelli, said he did not know the receiver had been dismissed from the Nittany Lions.
Smith was third on the team in catches (25) and receiving yards (402) in 2011 while pulling in two TDs. The 5-foot-7, 147-pounder also carried six times for 2 yards.
In March, university police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia at Smith's apartment. He was charged with possession of both, and earlier this month, PSU coach Bill O'Brien said, "I'm going to let the legal process kind of play out there and see what happens."
- Cory Giger
