Football: Tigers boot Vincent off team

Starting linebacker was academically eligible but did not reach coach’s goals

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Clemson will have to replace all three of its starting linebackers from a year ago.

Junior middle linebacker Cortney Vincent will not be reinstated for the 2008 season, the school announced after Monday’s team meeting.

Vincent was suspended for spring practice because of an unspecified violation of team and athletic department policy. Coach Tommy Bowden later said Vincent’s status would be evaluated after spring exams.

Vincent’s poor academic performance in the spring semester is believed to have been the final straw, as Bowden viewed it as an indication Vincent did not covet a spot on the team.

“We outlined some goals for Cortney this spring,” Bowden said in a prepared statement. “While he would have been academically eligible to compete this year, he did not meet these goals during the spring semester.”

In December, Vincent was also charged with DUI in a case that is still awaiting a jury trial. He was suspended for Clemson’s bowl game last season as a result.

Vincent, an Allendale native, is expected to transfer. But because he has redshirted and has one season of eligibility left, he must go to a Division II or III school if he wants to play before his five-year NCAA clock expires.

Attempts to reach Vincent were unsuccessful.

Redshirting freshman Brandon Maye is expected to fill Vincent’s spot in the lineup, although Maye was expected to challenge Vincent for the starting job in August based on his development this spring.

Depth behind Maye figures to be the greater issue, with junior Josh Miller the primary alternative.

Ogren leaving. Redshirt freshman receiver Jeff Ogren is transferring to Samford, which is close to home for the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native. Ogren played mop-up duty in four games last season and caught one pass.