Gophers wide receiver Brian Smith has been dismissed from the team for an unspecified violation of team rules, coach Tracy Claeys told KFAN (100.3) on his weekly radio show, Tuesday.
Smith, a junior walk-on from Milwaukee, was having a breakout season for the Gophers and started six of the team's seven games. He ranked second on the team with 17 catches for 279 yards and a touchdown.
"Unfortunately, he had a little violation of team rules, or a big violation of team rules and has been dismissed," Claeys told KFAN. "There's always consequences for the choices that you make and what you do, and it's very unfortunate, and I hate to do it as a coach. That's the worst thing in the world that you do when you're trying to help out kids."
Claeys added: "I feel bad about it, but it's one of those things. Like I said, the warnings have been there, and eventually, you're responsible -- all of us are responsible -- for the decisions that we make and what we choose to do."
The Gophers will move forward with Drew Wolitarsky, Rashad Still, Eric Carter and Tyler Johnson as their top receivers. Claeys told KFAN this also could be an opportunity for Melvin Holland Jr., and Hunter Register.
