Whether Clemson has one of the most talented defensive linemen in the country for its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Notre Dame remains to be seen.
Christmas Eve, reports emerged that three Tiger football players, including Dexter Lawrence, had tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance used to help increase muscle mass and strength, and will be suspended for the Cotton Bowl. Meeting with the media for the first time since the news broke, Lawrence claimed that he has no idea how the substance showed up on the NCAA-administered drug test.
“I’m not the type of guy to do a selfish act like (taking an illegal substance),” the lineman said by way of TigerNet.com. “I honestly don’t know how it was there and can’t really do anything about it.
“I stick to a strict routine,” he said. “I’m confused. I’m mind-boggled. When coach Swinney called me, I was shocked.”
Lawrence and the two other suspended players, tight end Braden Galloway and offensive lineman Zach Giella, are awaiting the results of a B sample that’s being tested in the wake of the positive result. It’s expected that the results could come back today, although that’s not guaranteed.
If the B samples are positive, all three players will be suspended for Saturday’s playoff game.