Kirkpatrick charge dropped

TUSCALOOSA | A misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against former University of Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick has been dropped, according to court records filed on Feb. 2 in Manatee County, Florida.

Kirkpatrick and another former UA defensive back, Chris Rogers, were charged with possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis on Jan. 17. Both were released on a $120 bond, and attorney Jim Delgado subsequently entered pleas of not guilty for both. According to court records, the case against Rogers remains open.

Less than a week before his arrest, Kirkpatrick declared early eligibility for the National Football League Draft, opting to skip his senior season at Alabama. One of the nation's top cornerbacks, the 6-foot-1 Kirkpatrick has been projected as one of several first-round draft picks from the Crimson Tide in the draft, which is scheduled for late April.

Efforts to reach Delgado Monday were unsuccessful.

According to the arrest report by the Palmetto Police Department, Kirkpatrick was the front-seat passenger in a truck that was stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road. A police canine alerted the officer to the presence of drugs, and the officer discovered 7.9 grams of marijuana on the floorboard at Kirkpatrick's feet.

According to the report, Kirkpatrick admitted after being advised of his rights that he was present in the car when the drugs were purchased, but did not know at the time that drugs were being purchased.

Rogers was the driver of the vehicle, and according to the arrest report, admitted to purchasing the drugs.

Kirkpatrick was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide and made 30 tackles during UA's 2011 national championship season.

Reach Chase Goodbread at chase@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0196.