Alabama dismisses Jonathan Taylor following domestic violence charges

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Jonathan Taylor was removed from Alabama's football team following his arrest Saturday night on domestic violence charges that include third-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief.

"Jonathan Taylor has been dismissed from the team and is no longer a part of our program," Nick Saban said in a statement released Sunday. "This will still need to go through the legal process, but when he was given an opportunity here, it was under strict guidelines and we made it clear there was a zero tolerance policy."

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Tuscaloosa police say the 21-year-old Taylor allegedly assaulted a 24-year-old female, who had minor injuries to her neck.

This is the second team in two years that has dismissed the nose tackle. Saban gave him a chance after he was removed from Georgia's program a year ago. In that incident, police said he struck his girlfriend with a closed fist and choked her during an argument at Taylor's dorm room. That case is still pending.

At the time of enrollment at Alabama in January, Saban knew what he was getting into. He said it was a "university decision" and added Taylor was "the kind of guy that deserved a second chance."

"I know the sensitivity of the issue and we're going to do what we can to help this young man have success here,'' Saban said at the time, via ESPN.

Taylor isn't the only Crimson Tide player to get into trouble with the law Saturday. Alabama defensive back Geno Smith was also arrested and charged with a DUI.

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Jordan Heck is a social media producer at Sporting News