Greg Reid dismissed from FSU football team

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State’s loaded defense will be missing a key component this fall.

Senior cornerback Greg Reid was dismissed from the football team Wednesday morning, just three weeks after he was arrested, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said in a brief statement released by the school.

Reid was pulled over July 10 in his hometown of Valdosta, Ga., for window tint and seat belt violations, and a Georgia State Patrol trooper said Reid had a marijuana joint in a cup holder and was driving with a suspended license.

Reid, 21, had been a valuable member of the defense, recording 32 tackles and intercepting two passes in 2011. He also had been a playmaker on special teams, averaging 11.2 yards per punt return a year ago. Reid led the NCAA in punt returns (18.4 yards) as a freshman in 2009 before teams began to pin him toward the sideline.

But Reid's history of off-field problems likely weighed heavily in the decision to dismiss him.

A year ago, Reid was suspended because of an undisclosed violation of team rules and missed the Sept. 10 game against Charleston Southern. He was arrested Sept. 26 on charges of resisting an officer/obstruction without violence and perjury not in an official proceeding. Those charges were dismissed two days later.

He will now depart FSU and is likely headed to a Football Championship Series subdivision (former Division I-AA) school for 2012.

Reid’s departure likely opens the door for sophomores Nick Waisome and Tyler Hunter to get more playing time. Junior Terrence Brooks, who has played both corner and safety, could also slide into Reid’s spot.

Junior Xavier Rhodes will start for FSU at the other corner position.

Without Reid, the Seminoles now return eight of 11 defensive starters from a group that allowed just 15 points per game (fourth in the Football Subdivision) in 2011.