COLUMBIA, S.C. - Highly regarded fullback prospect Antonio Lamar was accepted at South Carolina after his final admission documents were approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse, the school said.
Lamar arrived on campus Tuesday afternoon and dropped by the team's practice with his father, Fred. Lamar, from Snellville, Ga., won't be able to go full out with his teammates for several days. According to NCAA rules, Lamar must practice in shorts and helmet his first two days, then shorts, shoulder pads and helmet for two more days before taking part in full contact.
Lamar, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, set a Georgia high school record this spring when he threw the discus 197 feet, 4 inches at the state meet. When he signed, Lamar figured to make an immediate impact in the Gamecocks' fullback slot.
But now with the opener a little more than a week away, South Carolina coach Lou Holtz doesn't know when Lamar might be able to help. "I haven't even seen him line up in a stance," Holtz said. "I believe it will be extremely difficult for him to be able to do anything for the Vanderbilt game" Sept. 4.
Holtz said Jamie Peters has done good things this summer at the fullback spot.
CLEMSON: Defensive lineman Chris McDuffie has been suspended for the opening game against Wake Forest on Sept. 4, coach Tommy Bowden said. McDuffie, a 19-year-old reserve from Danville, Va., was arrested on charges last month of marijuana possession and intent to distribute.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterback Aries Nelson, who had entered the preseason second on the depth chart behind starter Omarr Conner, has quit the team and left school.
"If (Nelson) is afraid of competition, this is not the place for him," coach Sylvester Croom said. " ... It's disappointing, because, obviously, I haven't done a good enough job teaching him not to quit on (himself) and the situation."
PITTSBURGH: Wide receiver Greg Lee returned to practice after missing a week with a hamstring injury. Lee said he felt good and the lost week didn't matter mentally.
WESTERN KENTUCKY: Deion Holts, suspended from the team in July after being arrested in connection with a break-in at a golf course, has been reinstated as a practice player.
