After nearly six months of uncertainty regarding his academic standing, wide receiver Montez Billings has decided to leave the Auburn football program, head coach Gene Chizik said in a statement yesterday.
Billings missed all of spring practice due to academic issues, but then graduated in June with a degree in public administration. Then, less than two weeks before the start of the 2009 season, it was announced that an academic issue would lead to a suspension for the first four games of the year.
According to Chizik, the receiver is leaving the school for personal reasons.
“Montez has his degree and has decided to leave the Auburn football team to pursue other opportunities,” Chizik said in the release. “We appreciate what he gave to the football program during his career and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Billings was Auburn’s leading returning receiver, but his absence has done little to slow down the Tigers’ early-season offense.
In the first two games -- both wins -- Auburn has scored 86 points and rolled up over 1,100 yards of total offense.
