The University of South Carolina’s football team announced on Friday that three of its freshman players had been suspended from the program after being charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm.
Freshman defensive end Monteque Rhames II was arrested Thursday night and charged with obstructing justice and carrying weapons on school property.
Rhames was released later that evening after posting a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, which means he was released without having to pay bail and on the condition that he appears in court on March 31st.
Along with Rhames, safety players Anthony Rose and Cameron Upshaw were also included in the suspension.
Rose, who signed with South Carolina in 2022 as part of Coach Shane Beamer’s first recruiting class, was rated as the 33rd-best safety by the 247Sports Composite and the 28th-best safety according to Rivals. Rhames and Upshaw enrolled in classes last month.
University of South Carolina spokesman Jeff Strensland told The Daily Gamecock that the players were suspended due to the weapons charges against them.
The outlet also reported an email was sent by an University of South Carolina administrator to the residents of 650 Lincoln and their parents informing them that there was an incident involving a gun found in one of the rooms. Campus police responded to a “housing complaint” at the dorms on January 25th at 9:20 p.m.
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South Carolina’s Coach Beamer stressed the expectations placed on student-athletes, stating that the university and the football program will hold them accountable for their actions and decisions.
“Our student-athletes know what is expected of them,” Beamer said. “They know that both the university and the football program will hold them accountable for their actions and decisions.”
This news comes after recent departures from the team, such as Zacch Pickens declaring for the NFL draft and Jordan Burch transferring to Oregon. Should Rhames miss part or all of the 2023 season, the Gamecocks will be without the services of the six-foot-five, four-star recruit, who was rated as the fifth-best player in South Carolina by the 247Sports Composite.
The USC Gamecocks will kick off their 2023 season against their rival, North Carolina, in Charlotte, before playing Furman in their second game and then traveling to Athens to face the defending champions, the Georgia Bulldogs.
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