Florida State boots star CB Greg Reid off team

Florida State is the WagerWeb.com betting favorite to win the ACC and among the Top 6 favorites to win the national title, but the Noles will have to do so without star cornerback Greg Reid after he was kicked off the team.

Reid, a three-year starter for the Seminoles and one of the team’s top special teams players, has had several off-field incidents during his career. Most recently, he was arrested in mid-July and charged with driving with a suspended license, a seatbelt violation and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, according to the Lowndes County (Ga.) Sheriff’s office. Last month, Reid told police he had no knowledge of the marijuana found in his car.

Reid was also arrested last fall on perjury charges that were dropped, and he was suspended last year for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Last season, Reid played in 11 games and started nine. He made 32 tackles and had two interceptions, along with 563 return yards. He moved into second place in school history with 89 career returns and 1,117 return yards. He was named one of three most valuable players on special teams last year at Florida State’s annual banquet.

Florida State’s defense is loaded with potential replacements. A soft early schedule – the first two games are vs. FCS opponents — should provides coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator Mike Stoops with time to break in the younger defensive backs slowly.

The most logical candidates for the role will be sophomores Tyler Hunter and Nick Waisome, both of whom figured to battle for the nickel corner job during fall camp.

Hunter saw limited playing time in the secondary as a freshman last season, but his size — 6-feet, 190 pounds — and versatility make him an intriguing option. Waisome is a more prototypical corner, but he’s added weight over the offseason and is likely the most refined cover corner.

Reid’s departure might be felt more on special teams, where he was poised to break Deion Sanders’ career record for punt return yardage at Florida State.

Place your NCAA college football bets at our online sportsbook!