Cougars dismiss two players after charges

PULLMAN – Washington State dismissed two football players on Wednesday after they were charged in connection with their arrest in October after Pullman police discovered 38 marijuana plants in their rental home.

Jamal Atofau and Andre Barrington, both redshirt freshmen, were charged Wednesday in Whitman County Superior Court with the manufacture of a controlled substance, specifically marijuana, a Class C felony, according to the Whitman County prosecutor’s office. Their first court date was set for Jan. 7.

Both, along with Bailey Woods and Zachary Uttech, who were also arrested in the home at 1745 NE Lower Drive on Oct. 10 and charged Wednesday, face maximum penalties of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Atofau and Barrington, both suspended from the WSU football team at the time of the arrest, were dismissed from the team Wednesday, the school announced.

Cougars coach Paul Wulff was unavailable for comment.

Atofau, a reserve linebacker who also played on special teams, appeared in five games. Barrington was academically ineligible.