The preseason ACC Player of the Year won’t get a chance to make an immediate impact for Clemson this fall.
Specifically, he’ll have to wait two games.
In a release Friday evening, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said wide receiver Sammy Watkins will serve a two-game suspension for his offseason arrest for drug related charges.
“I told Sammy this past May that there would be a high-end (number of games) and a low-end, and it would be up to him as to the length of his suspension,” Swinney said in a prepared statement. “He has done everything we have asked and then some, so the two-game suspension is the low-end. He just finished his responsibilities last week and I met with Bob Arial (Watkins’s lawyer) today to make sure everything had been completed properly.
“The game of football, or a game of football will never be more important to me than teaching young people important life lessons. I have learned that many times something that seems to be the worst thing that can happen to you can become the best thing. I know Sammy will learn from this and use this to make a difference in other people’s lives. I look forward to having number-two back on the field soon.”
In addition to his preseason ACC honors, Watkins has been named to several award watch lists and preseason All-America teams.
“I accept this suspension,” said Watkins. “I made a mistake and realized that when this first happened. One thing we learn in this program is that there are consequences for your actions. The entire summer has been a learning experience. I am ready to get past this and look forward to September 15 when I can return to game day in Death Valley.”
Clemson opens up the season in Atlanta against Auburn before hosting Ball State.