Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney suspended three members of the football team Tuesday, only two days before the Tigers’ College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners.
According to ESPN, wide receiver Deon Cain, kick returner Ammon Lakip and tight end Jay Jay McCullough all failed drug tests.
“You don’t do the right things, there’s consequences,” Swinney said 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,” he continued. “They’re the ones that have to deal with the consequences because they’re missing out on a great opportunity. It doesn’t affect our team. We had a great practice yesterday. This is just what I do. It’s part of my job.”
A true freshman, Cain — the Tigers’ second leading receiver — stepped up when former deep threat Mike Williams was lost for the season. He totaled 582 yards on 34 catches in 2015.