Top-ranked Florida could be without one of its best pass rushers against No. 2 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested early Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence, just days before the biggest game of the season.

“We are aware of the incident and are currently gathering more information,” school spokesman Steve McClain said in a statement.

Coach Urban Meyer was expected to address the situation after practice Tuesday. He could suspend Dunlap for Saturday’s game in Atlanta.

Dunlap, a 20-year-old junior from North Charleston, S.C., was arrested at 3:25 a.m. He was released on his own recognizance about six hours later during his initial appearance at the Alachua County Jail. Judge Mary Day Coker admonished Dunlap for underage drinking, and said he cannot possess alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs that are not prescribed for him.

He was told not to drive a motor vehicle without a license, and if caught driving without a license, he would violate the terms of his release.

The judge released Dunlap without bond because he has no prior adjudications and no failures to appear in court.

Wearing a jail-issued, green-and-white striped jumpsuit, Dunlap spoke softly when asked questions and always replied “Yes, ma’am,” to the judge.

According to Gainesville Police spokesman Keith Kameg, an officer was dispatched to check out reports of a reckless driver near campus.

When the officer spotted the car stopped at an intersection, he noticed the red 2000 Chrysler was not moving through several green lights.

The officer found Dunlap slumped over and asleep at the wheel.

The officer woke up Dunlap through a cracked window, but he “would only open his eyes momentarily and then fall back asleep,” Kameg said.

The officer unlocked the door, put the car in park and turned off the ignition. Dunlap got out and “was very groggy and had difficulty speaking and listening to instructions,” Kameg said.

According to police, Dunlap had watery and bloodshot eyes, and there was a smell of alcohol.

Dunlap failed a field sobriety test, refused a breath test and was booked.

Dunlap, the defensive MVP of the Bowl Championship Series national title game in January, has started every game this season for the defending champs.

He has 35 tackles and is tied for the team lead with seven sacks.

• Mark Long