ATHENS, Ga. -- Tailback Washaun Ealey's brief and eventful career as a Georgia Bulldog has come to an end.

Washaun Ealey was missing for most of spring with what the team said was a hamstring injury.

Ealey has been granted an unconditional release to transfer to another institution for the upcoming academic year, UGA coach Mark Richt announced Monday evening.

The decision was not Ealey's alone.

"Washaun and I have had several conversations in recent weeks," Richt said in a statement. "We both have come to the conclusion that a transfer to another institution would be in his best interest."

Ealey's departure was not the result of one incident as much as it was a buildup of smaller shortcomings off the field, sources have said.

With five-star running back recruit Isaiah Crowell headed to Athens to join senior Caleb King, junior Carlton Thomas and redshirt freshman Ken Malcome, Georgia will have no shortage of options in the 2011 backfield.

However, the loss of talented player doesn't help matters for a team that went 6-7 with Ealey leading the way on the ground. But Ealey rushed for 1,528 yards during his two seasons with the Bulldogs, including a team-best 811 yards and 11 touchdowns on 157 carries last season. The highlight of his sophomore season was a five-touchdown rushing performance at Kentucky.

But for Ealey, occasional on-field success was negated by off-the-field problems and mistakes in key situations. In particular, Ealey famously fumbled on the goal line during 2010 losses at South Carolina and Mississippi State and scored an ill-advised touchdown that actually allowed Georgia Tech back in the game in the waning seconds of a UGA victory.

Additionally, Ealey was suspended for the season opener after an arrest on a charges of hit-and-run of a parked vehicle. He was suspended again prior to spring practice in 2011 for off-the-field behavior.

Last season's Kentucky game goes down as the highlight of Ealey's UGA career.

"We have certain expectations and standards that apply to all our
student-athletes," Richt said. "We expect them to do things the right way, the Georgia way. If Washaun does things the Georgia way, he¹ll be back in good standing."

Richt did reinstate Ealey prior to the start of spring practice and was complementary of the running back for the first few workouts. But Ealey pulled a hamstring before UGA's first full pads workout of spring, missing the rest of spring drills including the G-Day Game.

“Washaun, he’s got a very competitive attitude," teammate Caleb King said. "When he can’t go out there and compete, he’s hurting and he’s mad. I knew it was bothering him the whole time.”

UGA did not make Ealey available to reporters throughout spring drills.

Ealey, a former Emanuel County Institute standout, will turn 22 on June 1. He could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

Georgia Southern University is roughly 40 minutes from Ealey's hometown and figures to be a possible destination for his next season.