GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Just days before Florida's showdown with Alabama in the SEC Championship game, Gators junior defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested early this morning and booked in Alachua County jail on a DUI charge. According to the Gainesville Police incident report, the arrest was made at 3:58 a.m.
The report states that after trying to wake a sleeping Dunlap several times at a traffic light in the middle of an intersection near campus with his car still in gear, police had to unlock the red 2000 Chrysler through a crack in the driver's window. Police said they feared Dunlap would take his foot off the break and the car would cause an accident. After entry was gained, the car was put back in park and the engine turned off. The report alleges that alcohol was on Dunlap's breath. He took the field sobriety exercises with poor results, according to GPD spokesman Keith Kameg, then refused to take a breath test. Dunlap, 20, appeared in court and was released on his own recognizance at 9:10 a.m. The judge admonished Dunlap, whose birthday is Feb. 28, for underage drinking. As part of his release, he cannot possess alcohol, illegal drugs and any prescription drugs that are not prescribed to him. He is not to drive a motor vehicle and if caught he will be found in violation of his release and jailed. A court date has not been set for the DUI charge. Dunlap is forecast by many as a possible NFL first-round draft pick if he decides to leave after this season. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has him rated the No. 3 overall selection. "We are aware of the incident and are currently gathering more information,'' Florida spokesman Steve McClain said. The North Charleston, S.C., native is tied for the team lead with seven sacks. The arrest figures to restart criticism of Florida's league issues. In the five years Urban Meyer has been the coach there had been more than two dozen legal issues prior to Dunlap's problems but none during the current season. Florida has plenty of experienced backups to step in if Dunlap is suspended, which is almost certain. William Green, Duke Lemmens and Justin Trattou all have started at points this season -- David Jones, Florida Today 4. -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
