Football notes: Vincent to face evaluation after exams

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON - Clemson linebacker Cortney Vincent’s status with the team will be determined after the completion of this semester’s final exams.

Vincent, a junior who started all 12 regular-season games last season, was suspended for the spring for an unspecified violation of team and athletic department policy.

“There will be the last evaluation made with him within the next 10 days to two weeks to see if he’ll be back and joining us,” coach Tommy Bowden said during Tuesday’s ACC post-spring practice teleconference.

Bowden said during spring drills that Vincent’s reinstatement was not guaranteed.

The decision appears independent of Vincent’s pending DUI charge, although Bowden could come back and further penalize Vincent once the caseit is resolved.

In December, Vincent was charged with DUI. He has since requested a jury trial, which can take months to schedule. And as of late last week, both the prosecution and defense were still in the information-gathering phase of the process.

Under the knife. Five players, including four potential starters, have undergone arthroscopic surgery since spring practice ended, Bowden said.

They were linebacker Brandon Maye (knee), receiver Tyler Grisham (knee), right tackle Chris Hairston (shoulder), fullback Chad Diehl (ankle) and reserve tight end Akeem Robinson (knee).

Diehl’s surgery was on the same ankle he broke early last season.

All five are expected to be available for the beginning of August camp, according to a school release.

Extra points. Defensive tackle Dorell Scott, a junior from Ridge View High, is one of 70 players on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman. ... Bowden said freshman defensive end Da’Quan Bowers’ level of contribution next season would hinge on his summer conditioning. Bowers, listed at 267 pounds, is close to 280. “He’s gotten a little heavy,” Bowden said.