Dexter Lawrence, a standout defensive lineman for Clemson, has been suspended by the NCAA.
Straight from Dallas: Dexter Lawrence, a brilliant junior defensive lineman for Clemson, may not play in the Cotton Bowl against No. 3 Notre Dame since the NCAA revealed on Thursday that he had been suspended for failing a performance-enhancing drug test.
Three Clemson athletes, including Lawrence, tested positive for ostarine, a drug meant to treat osteoporosis that has anabolic steroid-like properties. If a PED test is failing, the NCAA typically suspends players for one calendar year.
Lawrence claimed he had no clue what may have caused the failed test when he attended No. 2 Clemson’s College Football Playoff media day at AT&T Stadium earlier on Thursday. Lawrence was holding out hope that the NCAA will reverse the punishment with more testing.
However, according to a statement from Dan Radakovich, the athletic director at Clemson, the NCAA verified Lawrence and two reserves’ punishments.
“As it evaluates all of our options, including appeals, the athletic department will not be providing any additional comments on the matter this evening,” Radakovich stated.
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Oklahoma met with media at the concurrent media day for both CFP semifinals at the Orange Bowl in South Florida. Prior to Saturday’s games, Lawrence’s health has been the main topic of discussion.
Earlier in the week, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney disclosed that the NCAA had informed the university about Lawrence, reserve offensive lineman Zach Giella, and freshman tight end Braden Galloway’s test failures.
It was rather unexpected when Lawrence showed up to the Dallas Cowboys’ Arlington, Texas, stadium on Thursday morning. He, like most of the other starters, had a little table with a name card placed at it. For the most of the 45-minute session, he sat and answered questions, but after around 20 minutes, the number of reporters dwindled.
Lawrence stated he would never even consider deliberately taking anything like that. If he enters the 2019 draft, he is expected to be selected in the first round.
Lawrence stated, “I have too much pride to do a selfish act like that. I’m not that kind of guy.” I’m too attached to my family and our squad to even consider putting anything like that in my body. I’m not sure where it originated. How it got there is beyond me.
Lawrence has been showing up for practice, participating in a few exercises, but not taking part in starting reps. He is among the top run defenders in the nation with 7 1/2 tackles for loss this season.
“I want to convey that I’m at peace right now. I am aware that I have no influence on the outcome of the “B” sample,” remarked Lawrence. “I’m just trying to be the leader and starter I’ve been all year, and I’m here to support my teammates.”
Three Alabama players were also suspended for the game; however, the reason for the suspension was not disclosed. Starting left guard Deonte Brown, tight end Kedrick James, and offensive lineman Elliot Baker were suspended for the remainder of the season by Alabama coach Nick Saban due to NCAA violations. Not a single player traveled to Miami with the club.
Kyler Murray, the quarterback for Oklahoma, was in South Florida, attending media events. Despite practicing, the Heisman Trophy winner was not feeling well on Wednesday and did not participate in media availability.
Despite coughing and sniffling a little, Murray insisted he would play on Saturday.
Both semifinal locations were packed with interest for backup quarterbacks.
Brian Kelly, the coach of Notre Dame, attested to Brandon Wimbush’s completion of the transfer requirements. Although the quarterback’s name is included in the transfer database, no choice has been made as of yet.
Although Wimbush acknowledged he had decisions to make regarding his future after the season, he declined to discuss what he has informed Kelly about it. As a graduate transfer, Wimbush would be able to start playing right away the next season.
Wimbush, who started the first three games of the season before losing the starting role to Ian Book, stated, “We’re a couple days away from this game and I don’t want anything to be a distraction.” “I have a year left of eligibility, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.” I can’t wait to accomplish it.
Jalen Hurts of Alabama was the starting quarterback for the Tide for the previous two seasons before Tua Tagovailoa took over this season. Hurts could possibly be eligible to transfer as a graduate student right away.
“My narrative is still developing. I just need to see what comes next,” Hurts remarked.
