Player focus is always a concern for programs prior to bowl games. Bowl games are rewards for teams following grueling regular seasons. They usually involve trips to new cities during winter break, fun festivities before the game, and lots of goodies for the players. Because of all these bonuses, it’s sometimes difficult for players to maintain focus on the game. That apparently has been the case for Clemson ahead of their playoff game Thursday.
ESPN Upstate’s Price Atkinson reports that freshman WR Deon Cain, senior K Ammon Lakip and junior TE Jay Jay McCullough were sent home from the Orange Bowl for a violation of team rules.
Source: #Clemson has sent home three players from the #OrangeBowl for violation of team rules (Deon Cain, Ammon Lakip, Jay Jay McCullough).
— PriceAtkinson (@PriceAtkinson) December 30, 2015
Clemson Insider reports that the three players failed drug tests.
Cain is the team’s second-leading receiver with 34 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns this season. Lakip is the team’s backup kicker.
The 13-0 Tigers face the Oklahoma Sooners in one of the national semifinals on Thursday. The winner will move on to face the Alabama-Michigan State winner in the championship game.
