On Tuesday night Clemson wide receiver Deon Cain, kicker Ammon Lakip and tight end Jay Jay McCullough were suspended and sent home from the Orange Bowl after a failed drug test.
Head coach Dabo Swinney attended the Orange Bowl head coaches’ press conference on Wednesday morning discussing the suspensions in a very unperturbed way. He emphasized during the press conference that these suspensions would not be a distraction to the team.
“Why would it be a distraction? It doesn’t have anything to do with it,” Swinney said. “Jay Jay McCullough, Lakip, and Deon don’t have anything to do with Shaq Lawson and how he plays this game.”
With Thursday’s Capital One Orange Bowl vs. No. 4 Oklahoma just a day way, the pregame drama has brought upon a lot of talk from the national media. Here is what they are saying.
Dabo, not surprisingly, strongly downplays the roles of the players sent home, Cain in particular. "None of these guys were starters."
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) December 30, 2015
While it's been all quiet at the Cotton Bowl, the off-field drama just keeps ramping up in South Florida… https://t.co/8rqJjvxQIz
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) December 30, 2015
Jay Jay McCullough is off the team permanently; Cain will have an opportunity to return. Lakip is a senior and done.
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 30, 2015
Coach Swinney is focused and ready for tomorrow. #ALLIN #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/gM1vXd76eW
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) December 30, 2015
Clemson has sent three players home for for violating team rules (via @Mark_Schlabach) https://t.co/EN1SCja7IH
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 30, 2015
Dabo: Unfortunate that these three guys get the headlines. Not the 112 players that did what's right.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) December 30, 2015
Swinney: The 3 suspended players won't play in championship game if Clemson wins. Cain could return in future "if he grows up."
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomon35) December 30, 2015
Dabo Swinney downplayed the loss of WR Deon Cain, pointing out he's not a starter. In reality, Cain has been a valuable player lately.
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomon35) December 30, 2015
Three Clemson players sent home ahead of the #OrangeBowl for allegedly failing drug tests https://t.co/nBiWUNZcsN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 30, 2015
@TajhB10 great interview this morning. Enjoyed your spot on perspective about the suspensions. #NextManUp #Allin pic.twitter.com/Ry6u1Dxa6J
— chris timmerman (@ctimmerman35) December 30, 2015
Clemson has so much talent it's ridiculous. Probably won't affect game plan at all. #loaded
— Marcus Lattimore (@MarcusLattimore) December 30, 2015
Stoops on Clemson suspensions: "It won't change anything we do. I'm sure they'll have another excellent player in there."
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) December 30, 2015
.@ClemsonFB fans have got to love Dabo Swinney's mindset going into the big game. #ALLINhttps://t.co/PO1Cw0er0c pic.twitter.com/wFR4VuHgkT
— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) December 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/Gold_Slugga/status/682261902223880193
Clemson WR Deon Cain will miss tomorrow's CFP Semifinal for violating team rules. He's caught 31% of Clemson's Pass TD over last 6 games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 30, 2015
Reports: Clemson suspends three players for Orange Bowl. https://t.co/o3zMpo4G6b
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 30, 2015