Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney confirmed three of his players would be suspended for the Tigers' College Football Playoff semifinal game against Oklahoma.
According to ESPN, Clemson suspended wide receiver Deon Cain, kicker Ammon Lakip, and tight end Jay Jay McCullough. At his Wednesday new conference, Swinney indicated the three players broke team rules, but would not disclose which ones.
ESPN and multiple other news outlets reported the three players failed drug tests. Their suspensions will also last the entire postseason, should Clemson reach the CFP National Championship.
"You don't do the right things, there's consequences," Swinney told reporters Wednesday. "It's really that simple. It's not a complicated matter at all. We've got 115 guys and 112 did what's right and three of them didn't. They forfeit the opportunity and privilege to be a part of the game. Really hate it for them. They're the ones that have to deal with the consequences because they're missing out on a great opportunity."
A true freshman, Cain had a breakout season after Mike Williams suffered a neck injury that prematurely ended his season in week one. Cain ranked second on the team with 582 yards and added five touchdown catches, all of which came in the Tigers' last six games. But Cain's true value was in his ability to catch long passes, as he averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in those last six games, The Post and Courier reported.
McCullough was a backup tight end and did not record a reception this season.
Lakip was not Clemson's primary placekicker after serving a three-game suspension at the beginning of the season for an arrest on cocaine possession, but he did handle extra points and kickoffs. Both Cain and McCullough previously served suspensions this season.
Lakip graduated this year and will not return to Clemson, whereas Cain and McCullough are eligible to return, though Swinney indicated they would have to earn there way back.