Lawyer: Patrick plans to be with team in’18

One of the unknowns about the Georgia football teamand its defense for 2018 has been the status of Natrez Patrick. A starter when healthy and eligible, it has been unclear whether the talented linebacker would still be on the team after legal issues and a trip to an inpatient treatment facility. Fornow, the answer appears to be yes. Patrick is enrolled in spring classes at UGA and plans to be with the team in 2018, his lawyer confirmed Tuesday. “Natrez is doing very well in his treatment,” Billy Healan said in a text message. “He is enrolled in classes this semester. He is still on the football team and is looking forward to the upcoming season.” Patrick was not with the team for the College Football Playoff run. He did not take the trip to the Rose Bowl, and he didn’t suit up for the CFP Championship game, although he was on the sideline for the game. Patrick entered the treatment facility in Augusta in mid- December as part of an agreement reached with Athens- Clarke County stemming from a probation violation for a marijuana arrest earlier that year. It’ s unclear whether Patrick, assuming he remains with the team, will face any additional suspensions for the 2018 season. He served a fourgame suspension during the 2017 season for a second violation of the UGA student-athlete drug policy, and a third violation means automatic dismissal. But a revision of the policy made last year allows for some leeway, according to Ron Courson, associate athletics director for sports medicine. Patrick’s return would bolster a defense losing all four linebackers who started in the playoff, plus four more starters and defensive lineman Trenton Thompson. Patrick likely would return to a starting role at inside linebacker, with rising sophomore Monty Rice and rising senior Juwan Taylor also candidates to start. Rice and Taylor each started a game last season.