Ex-Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla arrested on cocaine possession charge

Colt Lyerla played in three games this year before withdrawing from Oregon on Oct. 6. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images) Former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla was

Colt Lyerla played in three games this year before withdrawing from Oregon on Oct. 6. (Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla was arrested Wednesday on a charge of unlawful possession of cocaine and interfering with a police officer.

The news was first reported by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller.

According to the Lane County (Ore.) Sheriffs Department, Lyerla was seen snorting a powdery substance in a car. From USA Today:

Police observed Lyerla, 20, snorting what appeared to be a white powdery substance in a parked vehicle in Eugene, according to the report, and Lyerla admitted to using cocaine. According to the report, police detectives were working an unrelated case in the vicinity.

The detectives and Lyerla agreed to meet at Lyerla's residence to continue the investigation, according to the report, but once there Lyerla ran from the vehicle into a nearby apartment. He was arrested upon exiting the apartment and was taken to Lane County Jail. He was released at 9:20 p.m. PT.

Lyerla, who was a junior at Oregon, informed Ducks coach Mark Helfrich on Oct. 6 that he would be withdrawing from school. The former five-star recruit said in a school statement that his departure was on good terms.

Last week Miller reported that Lyerla had signed with XL Sports Agency and would continue working out for the 2014 NFL draft, where he was graded as the No. 2 tight end on many draft boards.

Lyerla missed the Ducks’ Oct. 5 win over Colorado while serving a one-game suspension for what head coach Mark Helfrich called a “violation of team rules.” He also sat out the Tennessee game on Sept. 14 after missing practices when he was ill. Lyerla played in only three games this season and had two catches for 26 yards and three rushes for 17 yards and one touchdown. He finished his Oregon career with 34 receptions for 565 yards and 11 touchdowns.

STAPLES: No doubt Oregon belongs at No. 2 in College Football Power Rankings