Three West Virginia players -- two of them potential starters next fall -- were dismissed from the football team yesterday for violating team rules after they were charged with felony possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver.

Penn Hills junior reserve running back Ed Collington, along with junior backup linebacker John Holmes, who played in all 13 games this past season, and sophomore backup defensive end James Ingram, a regular whose season was shortened by an injury, were arrested Tuesday in Morgantown, W.Va.

Police said they saw the three acting suspiciously, later pulled over Ingram's car for speeding and detected an aroma of marijuana.

In a search of the vehicle and, after securing a warrant, Ingram's apartment, police reported that they found nearly two dozen grams of marijuana altogether and bags used to package the drug.

Coach Bill Stewart said in a prepared statement, "These three players are dismissed from all aspects of the Mountaineer football family. The players will retain their scholarships through the end of the academic school year, pending the legal process."

Holmes had 39 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery this past year.

Collington played in seven games, rushing for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Ingram played in five games, recording two tackles.