Senior defensive end Jeremy Jarmon has tested positive for a banned substance and will lose his final season of eligibility due to NCAA regulations. Jarmon, a 2007 second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, said the positive test came from a supplement he was taking to help him lose weight.

Jarmon’s appeals to the NCAA were denied on Thursday night. The NCAA penalty for a positive test like this is loss of one year of eligilbity. As Jarmon has only one season of eligibility remaining, his career with the UK football team is over. If the appeals board had overturned the decision, Jarmon could have regained half a season or a full year of eligibility.

Jarmon was chosen at random by the NCAA to be tested on Feb. 24 and informed of the positive test when he returned from Spring Break. Jarmon would not disclose what the substance was or how he purchased it.

“I am not here to discuss the name of the substance that I took nor the place where I purchased it,” Jarmon said. “Instead, I am here to discuss the choice that I have made to live a healthier life, how I attempted to do this, and the decisions that I made to reach this point. However, one poor decision has cost me my collegiate eligibility.”

Jarmon began his diet as a New Years’ resolution with a goal of losing 11 pounds. At his request, Jarmon’s mother purchased Omega 3 fish oil pills. In January, he bought a vitamin supplement containing amino acids as well as a dietary supplement suggested to him by a salesperson. He also bought a new protein shake because it was healthier than the one provided to him by UK.

“I made a great effort to consume the overall best products that I could under NCAA rules,” Jarmon said. “On Feb. 2, I implemented the supplement suggested to me by the salesperson into my diet. I made the decision to purchase the supplement; I made the decision to use the supplement.”

Jarmon said he did not consult with the UK trainers or strength and conditioning coaches until 15 days after he began taking the supplement. By then, Jarmon said, it was too late. He said he usually speaks with the staff before making any decisions on any supplements, but was not around the training staff while he worked to rehab his shoulder when he began taking the supplement.

“Injuries alienate athletes from the team and change the times that a person is even at the facility. January 21 to March 22 was a setback for me as a person and as an athlete. I had everything to lose by taking a banned substance; this is the reason why I had been so careful up to this point.”

Jarmon was randomly tested again six weeks after the positive test, and he said that test came back negative because he was no longer taking the supplement, so the banned substance had left his body.

UK head coach Rich Brooks was in California and not available to speak to the media, but issued a brief statement in a news release.

“My first concern is with Jeremy and his family and what a devastating blow this is for them,” Brooks said. “There was no intent by Jeremy to do anything improper, it was an error in judgment in not checking with our staff (before taking the supplement). Jeremy has been an outstanding individual on and off the football field, and I hope that people understand what a class act he has been.”

Jarmon took full responsibility for taking the substance and cautioned everyone against taking supplements if they are not sure what is in them. He said he hopes others, including UK athletes and high school athletes, will learn from his situation. He has not yet spoken with his teammates.

Jarmon finishes his UK career ranked third all-time for the Cats with 17.5 sacks. He said he has not decided what he will do next year, but said he could return to school and finish his second major or possibly explore his options in the NFL. Jarmon likely would have been chosen in the NFL draft if he had decided to forgo his senior year. He is expecting to continue with his plans to travel to France this summer and will leave on Friday.

Barnhart said he remains proud of Jarmon and what he has accomplished during his time at UK. He also said he was proud of the way he conducted himself throughout the process, taking responsibility and standing up as an example to others.

“I’m proud of Jeremy Jarmon, of what he’s represented as the face of this program as a student-athlete at Kentucky,” Barnhart said. “He’s done everything anyone could have ever asked, and it’s unfortunate that it came to a close this way. Not the way that you dream of. But this isn’t the last you’ll hear of Jeremy Jarmon. He will do great things in life because of who he is and what he represents. He is a bright young man who just happens to be gifted athletically.”

Jarmon became very emotional during the news conference and broke into tears twice. He repeatedly stressed that he never felt he had to cheat to improve himself, and he was only trying to become healthier. He said he is only considering this a setback, and is still looking forward to his future.

“I was born a Kentucky fan, I will die a Kentucky fan, and I will be a Wildcat for life,” a teary Jarmon said.