Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon was ruled ineligible for his senior season by the NCAA because of a failed drug test.

He said at a news conference Saturday he had inadvertently taken a banned substance that turned up positive during a random NCAA test in February. An appeal was denied, in effect ending his college football career.

Jarmon did not identify the substance and took no questions.

Jarmon took the supplement while recovering from a shoulder injury and was not taking part in activities. He had been taking the supplement for 15 days before checking with the training staff, who told him to stop taking it.

But it was too late, Jarmon said, reading from a prepared statement.

Jarmon said his goal in the offseason was to become leaner. He bought a dietary supplement while shopping for vitamins on the recommendation of a worker at a nutrition store, not knowing that it contained a banned substance.

I do not need to cheat to be successful, he said.

Jarmon has the third-most sacks in Kentucky history. He was an honorable mention on last seasons AP All-Southeastern Conference Team.

Athletics director Mitch Barnhart had hoped the NCAA would consider extenuating circumstances in Jarmons case.

The NCAA rules are the rules that we all live by and theyre consistent, based on precedent and weve got to honor this, Barnhart said. It may not always feel right, but there is precedent and it is consistent.

Posted on May 24th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football