SENECA — Last month, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was asked about the status of rising sophomore receiver Sammy Watkins, who was arrested in May on drug possession charges.
Was there any possibility he’d avoid punishment that included missing playing time? “Probably not,” Swinney replied.
Tuesday, Swinney was asked if Watkins could play in the season opener against Auburn before his annual media golf outing at Cross Creek Plantation.
“There’s certainly a chance anything could happen,” he said. “We’ll wait and see and talk about it further.”
Translation: if Watkins does face punishment, it could be for a quarter or a half in the Georgia Dome.
Swinney is expected to hand down Watkins’ fate before the season begins.
Watkins is going through unspecified requirements this summer laid out by Swinney following his arrest.
“The only thing I will say is he’s gone above and beyond the things required of him,” Swinney said. “I’m not surprised by that. This is a young man who’s got some rebuilding to do. He’s damaged a little bit of trust. All you can do is respond. He’s responded very well, done things we’ve asked him to do.
“And if he continues to do that, again, we’ve got a little time left before camp actually starts with some of the things we’ve asked him to do. If he continues to handle himself like he has, we’ll render the punishment.”
Last fall, Watkins authored one of the best seasons ever by a true freshman receiver. He caught 82 passes for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 33 kick returns for 826 yards, including an 89-yard touchdown at Maryland.
He was a consensus national freshman of the year, and became the third true freshman ever to be named an AP first-team All-American.
However, he was not on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver. Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret said that he was not listed due to Biletnikoff policy that excludes players who have been arrested in the offseason.
Bourret said that Watkins would be eligible to be added to the list once his situation is resolved and plays well enough to be included.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 13
savagetiger writes:
Way to go Watkins!!! Keep up the good work!
zilforreal writes:
I would not sit him. That only punishes the other players. Make him write 100 times "I will not smoke pot, or get caught doing it." Let the press complain, for the most part they have no credibility anyway. The coaches are hypocrites and if the police had not been involved, there would be no punishment. A player smoking pot is no big deal. Most of the players smoke pot and that is not just at Clemson. OK, it is against the law. So is speeding and drinking beer before you are 21.
justcurious writes:
I have to disagree, he should sit, sorry I am from the old school. He violated the trust all have put on him, Hope dabo sends a messege, sit him, otherwis my opinion he is being let go by his status, no matter what the law is the law, wheter one likes it or not, would a regular student be treated the same way, no, Lets remember Penn State, football took ovr everything. all have their opinions and I homor that, i just gave mind, a Tiger fan 60 plus years.. Dabo do the right thing. I will not be the only one that says he should sit, and sit in the opener, not just lower level game.
Terri (Inactive) writes:
"would a regular student be treated the same way, no"
You're right....a regular student would be placed on probation and business as usual would go on. Sammy is being singled out and rendered harsher treatment just for being who he is and what he is.
And he is taking the treatment like a man. A fine man, at that.
He should have received probation. A debate team member would have received just that. A golfer would have received just that. A member of a research team making a report to a convention of scientists would have received just that. More than likely a bench warmer would have received just that.
My God, man. You equate this infraction with the Penn State situation? You are not only delusional, you are stone cold whacko !
Please get a grip on reality.
trianglemfarm writes:
Dabo is no different than Spurrier, this will go to show all of you moo u that all that matters is his chance of winning. I know Sammy is probably a really good kid that made a mistake, but instead of sending a message, Deebo with waver and let him play just so the old mooers dont get waxed by another SEC team.
simpleman303 (Inactive) writes:
I'll say it again, here's the lead, clemson, Rambo suspended 4 games, drug tests. Sanders Commings, domestic violence, 2 games, suspension. Branden Smith, 1 game poss. of marijuana. What is it with you guys and not wanting to dole out what should be? I've asked this question before and got..."Georgia hasn't done anything to their players yet". Wrong, I refer you to the april 14th edition of AIM. I'm sure of one reply I'm going to get... on this one and that is why I put that info in. Y'all have a nice day...
vagrantham writes:
I bet you don;t say that when it comes to the coots players. well Dabo is a lot different than stevie, to start with he can run off the field,Stevie can't throw his visor as far as he use to,stevie is on the decline Dabo is on the rise,Stevie can;t get out of his own way,Stevie can't win the SEC title. Just face it Stevie has fallen and can't get up. This all started when he was named head thug coach at coots U. yea look at the punishment he has handed out in his tinure at coot U.Thats why the coaches are leaving the coots U they know the ship is sinking and Stevie, can;t swim.
vagrantham writes:
Yea Yea we've heard it from you enough I can understand that you think you deserve some kind of answer from Dabo. Well this is totally none of your business it has to do with The head coach!!! So go away and quit being such a pest. Coach Sweeney will tell Sammy's punishment when he's ready and thats it!!! don't loose to much sleep over this.
Terri (Inactive) writes:
Liberal?? That's a first!!
simpleman303 (Inactive) writes:
Yea yea, LOL, why do I keep coming back? because of this right here.... the last comments I made and the response I left here. I was challenged about georgia's problem players and I responded here, the person knows who I'm talking to. He's already commented. Just makin' a point, is all, sorry watkins is you guys only player who might make an impact. I'm guessin' that's why Dabo is waiting on an action. So he can suspend him when it's convenient. while at georgia we don't put up with crap like that, punish them and get it over with. don't matter who is next on the schedule...if suspension isn't working send them out....that's my only problem with dabo...he won't dish out the discipline. Oh wouldn't worry to much about watkins.....martavious bryant is the future up there for receivers.
iptaytiger writes:
For Christ's sake Simpleman!!! Worry about your own team!!! Why would a Georgia fan come to another teams site to troll, especially if its not a rival??? I could understand if it was a lamecock...
simpleman303 (Inactive) writes:
its pretty simple, even for an iptay,(ITPTAY,you don't think georgia and clemson isn't a rival game, pal have you got a lot to learn) I have to listen to clemtech and lamecock people constantly. This forum provides me a little rebuttle, fun, and always a good laugh. Clemson's record against Georgia as well as carolina's record against the dawgs is a joke, but you guys are relentless with the junk talk. guess when that's all you got, flaunt what you have. as far as senn,.... what a joke, get a life? hahaha....I got more of a life than you will ever have...why? you may ask? simple... I ain't a tiger fan...LOL LOL.....yeah I come on this page, because the clemson/anderson independent doesn't give a report on Georgia unless they think clemson has a chance or Georgia is dismissing a worthless thug...guess that's why we don't hear to much....well, with all that said, maybe you guys can beat georgia tech, or maybe wake this year....and unless you can get freedom of the press and speech repealed then I'm come on this site whenever I dam(n) well please...thanks and as alway...HAVE A NICE DAY
simpleman303 (Inactive) writes:
In response to senn(wish I were a man), this is my last post on this loser site, I'm sure you little tiglettes will cheer. Its obvious you can't handle some competitive conversation just as your team can't handle it on the field. I post when I have a chance to because of the life I have, moron. And I couldn't get into Georgia? Never said that little man, I said I went into the military so little fellas like you could spout off whenever you please. HAVE A NICE DAY!!! SEE YOU IN '13 LOL LOL LOL
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.