More bad news from Gamecocks offseason
South Carolina starting quarterback Stephen Garcia has been suspended from the Gamecocks football program…for the fifth time.
It’s actually a bit ironic, because it comes less than two weeks after Garcia publicly stated his past is behind him. Garcia was suspended on March 15 at the start of spring practice for an incident that reportedly involved alcohol and women in a hotel room.
There has been no word on why Garcia has been suspended indefinitely, as SC athletic director Eric Hyman made the announcement Wednesday.
“Stephen has exhibited behavior that is unacceptable for one of our student-athletes. Therefore, he has forfeited the privilege to participate in any football related activity until further notice.
Garcia is at least done for spring, as head coach Steve Spurrier later pointed out.
Along with the start of spring suspension this year, Garcia has struggled with alcohol related suspensions in the past, including two booze related arrests and suspensions his freshman season.
Garcia told the Associated Press that this suspension has nothing to do with alcohol, drugs or getting arrested.
The senior quarterback was expected to lead a Gamecocks team capable of competing for a second straight trip to the SEC Championship game this coming season.
The starting duties of spring, and maybe beyond, are now passed on to sophomore Connor Shaw.
We’re just over two months removed from the 2011 class Signing period in college football, meaning it’s time to focus on the next set of future college stars.
Scout.com and 247sports released their first set of 2012 class rankings earlier this week and one thing seems to be consistent: Elk Grove, CA offensive tackle Arik Armstead is the top player in the nation.
Armstead (6-foot-8, 275) has verbally committed to USC and is the No. 1 player on both sites Top 100 boards.
Both sites seem to agree on the second ranked player as well, where Springfield, MO wideout Dorial Green-Beckham (6-foot-6, 220) sits in the No. 2 slot. Green has not yet make a decision on his future school, but has numerous offers and interest from college footballs finest.
Offensive line seems to be one of the stronger position groups of the 2012 class, where along with Armstead in the Top 10, Tempe, AZ offensive tackle Andrus Peat (6-foot-7, 280) and Jacksonville, FL tackle John Theus (6-foot-6, 292) make both top 10 lists.
The top quarterback prospect according to both sites is Columbus, IN single caller Gunner Kiel (6-foot-4, 210). Could there be a better name for a quarterback?
The top running back according to Scout and 247 is Raleigh, NC tailback Keith Marshall (5-11, 180).
Other notables include: Washington, DC defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (6-foot-4, 305), Sacramento, CA defensive back Shaquille Thompson (6-foot-1, 180) and Harrisburg, PA defensive end Noah Spence (6-foot-4, 240).
Junior NIU linebacker Devon Butler remains in critical condition after being shot in an off-campus drug related incident he was not involved in on Tuesday night.
Butler was at an off-campus apartment when shots were fired from a car into the apartment building he was visiting. Butler was struck in the back by a bullet and remained in critical condition after surgery.
According to DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen, the apartment had been the target of a drug deal gone bad earlier Tuesday. Feithen said Butler had no knowledge of the bad deal, nor had any involvement.
The two suspects in the shooting have since been caught and have been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful delivery of cannabis and discharge of a firearm.
Butler, originally from Pembroke Pines, FL, was the second leading tackler for the Northern Illinois football team last year with 80 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks.
The University of Nevada athletic department is in the process of a $1.5 million budget cut to the program, one that could put the schools Division-I athletic status in danger.
The cuts are part of a $59 million proposal of university-wide budget reduction at the University of Nevada. The total could threaten the Wolf Pack to keep their D-I status or force the school to drop another sport.
The Nevada football program turned in its best season in school history last year, with school records for wins (13) and final AP Poll ranking (11). The program is also in the process of moving to the Mountain West Conference, beginning in 2012. A move that is considered a step up from the Western Athletic Conference.
The $1.5 million cut would equal a 7.5 percent reduction of the schools $20 million budget. Staffing cuts and scholarship cuts look in store down the line, but the school can’t risk cutting too many scholarships.
Schools must maintain a minimum of $4 million spent on athletic scholarships to maintain D-I status. Nevada currently spends $4.6 million on scholarships, not leaving much room for cuts.
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