Bowden: McDaniel on team, future in limbo

Accused player can practice, but his status for the season is not yet determined

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Clemson defensive back DeAndre McDaniel will be allowed to participate in team activities while facing his criminal charge.

McDaniel, arrested June 21 for alleged assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, can remain an “active member” of the team, coach Tommy Bowden said Monday in a statement.

However, Bowden said McDaniel’s status for regular-season competition has yet to be determined.

Clemson opens the season Aug. 30 against Alabama. Practice begins Aug. 1.

“We continue to review information concerning this case, and I want to be clear that I take these charges against DeAndre McDaniel seriously,” Bowden said in the statement.

The charges stemmed from an off-campus incident involving McDaniel’s girlfriend at his off-campus apartment in Central.

Last week, McDaniel was deemed in good standing as a student after a hearing with the university’s student judicial review board, although the board retained the right to revisit McDaniel’s status if new evidence was provided, said Nick Lavery, the player’s attorney.

The accuser declined to provide the board’s request for a written statement and medical records, and she did not attend at her attorney’s advice, Lavery said.

Bowden was on vacation last week and met Monday with McDaniel.

“We will continue to monitor the legal process as it develops,” Bowden said.

The case has been referred to the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which typically is unable to bring a case to trial for a minimum of six months, Central police chief Kerry Avery said.