Virginia football linebacker Ahmad Brooks, a 2004 All-American and Butkus Award candidate, failed a drug test within the past two weeks and will not be practicing with the team this spring, according to two sources close to the team.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Cavalier Daily that Virginia coach Al Groh informed the team Brooks would not be with the squad this spring, and his status for the fall had not yet been determined.
On Friday the Athletic Department responded to an Internet story on Cavscorner.com claiming Brooks was going to be dismissed from Virginia.
Athletic department spokesperson Jim Daves told the Cavalier Daily Sunday, "It's no different than the other day. I talked to coach Groh on Friday afternoon and [Groh] informed him that Ahmad Brooks's status had not changed -- meaning he's a member of the team."
Brooks announced Jan. 14 that he would be returning next fall for his senior season, citing his desire to graduate from Virginia and help the Cavaliers win a league championship.
"I came to Virginia to earn my degree and help Virginia become a great team," Brooks said in January. "I still have a lot of unfinished business to meet my goals. When I do walk into a NFL locker room, I want to do it with my degree. I am looking forward to getting my game in top shape and helping my teammates win an ACC Championship."
Brooks' father, Perry Brooks, who played professional football for the Washington Redskins, declined to comment for this story and referred all inquiries to the Virginia athletic department.
One of Virginia's prized recruits, the 6-foot-4, 259-pound linebacker from Woodbridge, Va. led Virginia in tackles his freshmen and sophomore years. He spent the 2002 season at Hargrave Military Academy and was therefore eligible to participate in the 2005 NFL Draft after his prolific sophomore season, when he was selected as one of the top three linebackers in the nation. He was projected as a lock for a first-round draft pick, but surprised some when he announced he was returning for his junior season.
Brooks underwent off-season knee surgery in March 2005 and his slow recovery kept him out of the first three games of last season.
He returned for the fourth game versus Maryland, but twisted his ankle and was held out of the next contest at Boston College. Brooks played in the next five games, but did not participate in Virginia's season finale and the 34-31 triumph over Minnesota in the Music City Bowl due to a back injury.
Brooks played in just six games overall and finished with just 27 tackles -- tied for 12th on the team.
Because Brooks originally elected not to enter the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jan. 15 deadline, if he wishes to participate in the 2006 NFL season, he will have to enter the Supplemental Draft, which generally takes place in the summer.
To select a player via the Supplemental Draft, NFL teams must submit a request and list a round to the NFL office. If its bid is successful, the team would lose an equivalent pick in the following draft.
Thirty-two players have been taken in the past 26 Supplemental Drafts.
Brooks also has the option to petition the NFL to gain entry in the NFL Draft, to be held Apr. 29 and 30.
Brooks was charged with possession of marijuana in May 2003 but pleaded no contest and the charges were dismissed Jan. 2004. It is unclear what drug Brooks tested positive for recently.
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