Texas CB Brown arrested on drug, weapon charges

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas cornerback Tarell Brown was arrested on misdemeanor drug and weapon charges early Monday, leaving his status in question for the No. 3 Longhorns' game with top-ranked Ohio State.

Brown, a senior starter, was arrested with Tyrell Gatewood, a backup junior linebacker and special teams player, and former Texas linebacker Aaron Harris.

Brown was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon, a loaded 9 mm handgun, and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Gatewood and Harris were charged with the same drug misdemeanor.

The attorney for Brown and Gatewood said Gatewood legally purchased the gun earlier this year and that neither of them smoked the marijuana found in the car.

The gun charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The drug charge carries a maximum of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Brown and Gatewood were released on personal recognizance bond and Harris remained in the Travis County jail Monday afternoon.

Texas was likely to have Tarell Brown cover star Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (AP)

Coach Mack Brown said he met with both players and was "holding them out of all team functions as we gather as much information as possible before making a team decision."

Texas (1-0) and Ohio State (1-0) play in Austin on Saturday night.

Defensive co-coordinator Gene Chizik said the team remains "very focused."

"One thing that's awesome about the University of Texas, you have opportunities to have great depth," Chizik said.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by deputies, the three were in a car Harris was driving on Interstate 35 about 2:50 a.m. A deputy pulled the group over after watching the car weave erratically and nearly strike another car.

According to the report, Harris got out of the car when pulled over and Brown and Gatewood were asleep. Harris passed a field sobriety test but told the deputy he had been smoking marijuana and there was some in the car. When deputies approached, they saw Brown in the back seat asleep with his hand on a gun in his lap.

Under state law, a person commits an offense if he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his person a handgun, illegal knife or club.