Missouri defensive lineman Shane Ray talks with reporters during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in Feb. 2015. (Doug McSchooler, AP)

Missouri police: NFL prospect Shane Ray cited for marijuana possession

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Authorities say NFL prospect Shane Ray has been issued a misdemeanor citation after a trooper found a small amount of marijuana in the defensive end’s car.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Ray was SEC defensive player of the year at Missouri. He is expected to be an early pick in this week’s NFL draft.

Corporal Scott White with the Missouri Highway Patrol says a trooper pulled Ray over on Interstate 70 west of Columbia early Monday morning for speeding.

White says the trooper searched the car after smelling the odor of marijuana. Ray was cited for possession of 35 grams or less of marijuana and for a traffic violation.

White says Ray was cooperative, showed no signs of impairment and was released with a summons to appear in Cooper County court in June.

Ray, his mother and his agent did not immediately return messages from Columbia Daily Tribune seeking comment.