The Associated Press

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall has dismissed quarterback A.J. Graham for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Marshall athletics spokesman Jason Corriher said Tuesday the football program wouldn’t comment further on the sophomore’s dismissal.

Graham went 2-2 as a starter last season in place of freshman Rakeem Cato before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Graham completed 62 percent of his passes for 714 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

A former Florida prep player of the year, Graham’s departure leaves Marshall with few options other than Cato entering spring practices. Backup Blake Frohnapfel underwent shoulder surgery in November and backup Eddie Sullivan quit the team the same month.

Graham ran for 129 yards and two scores in his first start, a win over Rice on Oct. 15. He threw for two scores and ran for another the following week in a loss at Houston. In the next game he threw for five TDs in a win over Alabama-Birmingham, then was ineffective in a lopsided loss to Tulsa.

Graham led Godby High in Tallahassee to the Class 3A championship game and he threw for 3,870 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2008. He also ran for 564 yards and 10 scores.

In 2009, three months after signing with Marshall, Graham was charged with armed robbery in his home state and he was kicked off the team. But he was reinstated that August and the charges were dropped after prosecutors said conflicting statements from victims threw the case in doubt.

Graham was redshirted in 2009. He completed 10 of 12 passes in a backup role in 2010.