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Garcia cleared for early return
Embattled quarterback is allowed to begin practice two weeks sooner than expected
CommentsStephen Garcia’s return from exile will come two weeks sooner than anticipated.
South Carolina’s suspended quarterback will be on the field Friday for the Gamecocks’ first preseason practice after university officials on Wednesday approved Garcia’s request for early reinstatement, according to sources close to the situation.
Garcia was suspended in March following his third arrest or citation in a 15-month span. The suspension was to have lasted until Aug. 15 — the day students return to campus — and include a number of requirements ranging from drug and alcohol tests to personal counseling.
Garcia, who lived at his family’s Tampa-area home while he was prohibited from taking summer school classes at USC or participating in team activities, is not expected to attend today’s team meeting.
But the highly-rated redshirt freshman, who has yet to take a snap for the Gamecocks, should be in his No. 5 jersey for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. practice.
USC spokesman Russ McKinney referred questions about Garcia to Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier.
But Spurrier did not want to say much until the university had made an official announcement on Garcia’s status.
“I need to stay out of it until I get the official word that he’s clear. I’m out of the loop until somebody over there says he is now with you guys,” Spurrier said. “I have not talked to anyone officially with the university, yet.”
Attempts to reach Garcia and his father, Gary Garcia, were unsuccessful.
Earlier this week Spurrier said he heard from assistant quarterbacks coach David Reaves and Gary Garcia that Garcia had complied with the university’s stipulations, which also included maintaining a summer job, performing community service and providing weekly updates to USC officials about his progress.
His reinstatement request was sent to the student judiciary office, which set the terms of the suspension following the 20-year-old Garcia’s underage drinking citation in March.
About five hours after that incident, Garcia told authorities he had discharged a fire extinguisher in the East Quad dormitory. Under USC policy, Garcia was automatically kicked out of campus housing.
Sources say Garcia will be on a zero-tolerance policy at the university, meaning another disciplinary issue likely would result in dismissal.
Garcia will begin preseason camp no higher than third on the depth chart behind redshirt junior Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley, who was 4-2 as a starter last season.
The Gamecocks are still awaiting word on the status of lineman Jarriel King. The North Charleston native, who was part of Spurrier’s first USC recruiting class in 2005 but did not qualify, took a math course at Georgia Military College this month which he needed for admittance to USC.
“Hopefully the grade and everything gets turned in officially by this weekend and he can be ready to go Friday,” Spurrier said.
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