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on August 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM, updated August 20, 2013 at 6:17 PM
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama sophomore cornerback Geno Smith, who was arrested early Sunday for driving under the influence, has been suspended for the season opener against Virginia Tech, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said after Tuesday's practice.
Smith also has some other things to take care of "in house," before he can return to the field, Saban said.
"We've never had an issue with Geno. He's an excellent person," Saban said. "He's never been in trouble here before, never been in my office for anything, but I think this is something that everybody should learn from that when you make a bad choice, sometimes the consequences of that choice can really have a negative effect.
"Some of these guys don't have enough foresight to understand cause and effect, but Geno has been a really good person in the program and just made a choice, bad decision. Made several of them, so now he's got consequences for it."
Smith was on the practice field Tuesday, but he wasn't working with his normal groups. During the first period, he was with a handful of walk-ons and players who haven't seen the field much. Later, he watched as safety Jarrick Williams filled his spot at "Star" with the first and second-team nickel defense groups.
Smith, who was arrested early Sunday at the intersection of 4th Street East and 2nd Avenue, was released from Tuscaloosa County Jail some time Sunday evening. His bond was $1,000.
Smith emerged as a regular contributor in Alabama's secondary during his freshman campaign and was in line for significant snaps at the Crimson Tide's "Star" position in nickel defense situations. In 13 games, the Atlanta native had nine tackles, two pass breakups and two passes defended.
In an early August interview, senior cornerback Deion Belue raved about Smith's improvement.
"He's getting better and better. Even practice, he's picking it up," Belue said. "He's learning even more. It's starting to become easier for him. You can see it now, he's not thinking as much. He's just playing."
Smith is the first Alabama player to be arrested since February, when four players -- D.J. Pettway, Eddie Williams, Tyler Hayes and Brent Calloway -- were involved in multiple incidents of second-degree robbery and credit card fraud. All four players were initially suspended and eventually dismissed from the team.
Smith also has some other things to take care of "in house," before he can return to the field, Saban said.
"We've never had an issue with Geno. He's an excellent person," Saban said. "He's never been in trouble here before, never been in my office for anything, but I think this is something that everybody should learn from that when you make a bad choice, sometimes the consequences of that choice can really have a negative effect.
"Some of these guys don't have enough foresight to understand cause and effect, but Geno has been a really good person in the program and just made a choice, bad decision. Made several of them, so now he's got consequences for it."
Smith was on the practice field Tuesday, but he wasn't working with his normal groups. During the first period, he was with a handful of walk-ons and players who haven't seen the field much. Later, he watched as safety Jarrick Williams filled his spot at "Star" with the first and second-team nickel defense groups.
Smith, who was arrested early Sunday at the intersection of 4th Street East and 2nd Avenue, was released from Tuscaloosa County Jail some time Sunday evening. His bond was $1,000.
Smith emerged as a regular contributor in Alabama's secondary during his freshman campaign and was in line for significant snaps at the Crimson Tide's "Star" position in nickel defense situations. In 13 games, the Atlanta native had nine tackles, two pass breakups and two passes defended.
In an early August interview, senior cornerback Deion Belue raved about Smith's improvement.
"He's getting better and better. Even practice, he's picking it up," Belue said. "He's learning even more. It's starting to become easier for him. You can see it now, he's not thinking as much. He's just playing."
Smith is the first Alabama player to be arrested since February, when four players -- D.J. Pettway, Eddie Williams, Tyler Hayes and Brent Calloway -- were involved in multiple incidents of second-degree robbery and credit card fraud. All four players were initially suspended and eventually dismissed from the team.
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