A UK football player was arrested early Monday morning on drug trafficking charges in Franklin County. 

Junior defensive end Jason Hatcher was pulled over for speeding and then charged with trafficking marijuana (8 oz to < 5 lbs), tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Head coach Mark Stoops dismissed Hatcher Monday morning after the charges surfaced.

This is not Hatchers first run in with drugs, as he was cited along with Louisville wide receiver and former teammate at Trinity James Quick for possession of marijuana in May 2014. These charges were later dismissed.

Hatcher had stepped into a larger role on the defense this past season with the departure of Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith to the NFL. He has played in 21 games at UK with six starts and has recorded 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks.

Hatcher is being held in Franklin County Regional Jail.