Drama for Nothing: Spurrier to Redshirt Garcia, Richardson; but Cook Reinstated
For all the drama surrounding South Carolina freshmen Stephen Garcia and Quintin Richardson this offseason, we won't see if any of it was worth it this year, according to gogamecocks.com:
Barring injury, both freshmen will redshirt this season, coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday at his first weekly press conference of the season. Each player was a highly-ranked member of the 2007 recruiting class, then each ran into off-field trouble and finished the preseason deep on the depth chart.
If you don't remember, Richardson is the offensive lineman who was stabbed in an altercation and later arrested on a marijuana charge. If you don't remember Stephen Garcia, well, you just haven't been paying attention... but he's a freshman ultra-recruit who is already on his third strike.
Spurrier maintains that the other members of his highly-touted 2007 recruiting class will have an opportunity to play this season, though I remain dubious on Stephen Garcia's redshirt; Blake Mitchell is suspended for the first game and Spurrier's never been shy about shuffling QBs.
And it continued to be a busy day in Columbia.
Emanuel Cook, who was arrested last week on a gun charge, was readmitted to the university, saying:
I understand the seriousness of the charge made against me and believe the actions taken by the University were reasonable and appropriate in this situation. I want to apologize to the entire University community, the football team and staff, and my family and friends for the negative attention, which my actions may have brought. I am excited to continue my educational pursuits and assure you I will have a positive impact on the University in the future. I would like to thank you for your support during this difficult period in my life.
No word on Cook's standing with Spurrier yet, and Cook underwent an appendectomy recently, so he won't be playing soon. Still, maybe the Gamecocks won't have to field a team of Korean War veterans this season after all.
See more at http://sports.aol.com
