Dabo Swinney

Speaking at a “Prowl and Growl” meeting in Myrtle Beach this week, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he is still mulling over how he will punish wide receiver Sammy Watkins following his arrest last week. Watkins is facing charges of simple possession of marijuana and possession of two prescription pills for which he didn’t have a prescription.

MyrtleBeachOnline.com provided the details of Swinney’s thought process now that he’s had a few days gather his thoughts.

“I’m still in the process of making the best decision for everybody,” Swinney said. “I’m very disappointed in Sammy, in the decision that he made. He’s been a complete model citizen, player, teammate, student since the day he got there. It’s just a reminder that even the best of the best still do stupid things from time to time.

“… This is a teachable opportunity and I’m proud of how he’s responded, because he has responded the right way. I’m in the process of gathering all the facts and making sure I have a good grasp of the situation and what happened, and I will determine his discipline at a later time.”

Swinney may be waiting to see how Watkins’ legal process plays out. Watkins still doesn’t have a court date because police are still awaiting awaiting lab results to confirm the identity of the two pills he had one him at the time of his arrest. According to the police report officers said it was Adderall and Vyvanse, Clemson University Chief of Police, Johnson Link, said Wednesday the possession of the pills is considered more serious than possession of marijuana because the pills are a controlled substance.

If the pills turn out to be something else, Watkins could face additional charges.

One charge Watkins will not face is driving under the influence. In the police report officers noted the observed Watkins car hit a curb before they pulled it over. The report also indicates officers smelled what the believed to be burnt marijuana in the car after the traffic stop. According to Link, the arresting officers did not believe Watkins was impaired or driving under the influence when they pulled him over. Link said they did not conduct a field sobriety test and did perform any drug or alcohol testing when Watkins was detained.

Even though the police didn’t test Watkins, under athletic department policy, Clemson may have. According to its drug enforcement guidelines Watkins’ arrest subjects him to more than just random testing:

In addition to random testing, student-athletes are also subject to drug testing if there is cause to believe that they may be using illegal drugs. Circumstances which constitute cause include, but are not limited to the following: current or past involvement with the criminal justice system for drug-related activities, prior treatment for drug problems, admission of a current drug problem, prior positive test for any illegal drugs or a pattern of aberrant behavior. Any coach, athletic administrator or athletic staff member who has cause for concern may request that a student undergo testing. These requests may be submitted to the athletic director or the associate athletic director for administration. A record of requests made and their disposition will be on file with the associate athletic director for administration.

If Watkins tested positive for marijuana or Adderall his punishment would be determined by the number of drug testing violations he may or may not have already had. Here are the consequences for a non steroid positive drug test, per Clemson athletic department policy:

First Offense

A positive test result or admission of drug use will have the following consequences:

1. Student-athlete will participate in a conference telephone call with coach, Director of Performance, and parent(s) or legal guardian(s) at which time the consequences of a positive test result will be reviewed.
2. Student-athlete will be required to attend mandatory evaluation and counseling sessions.
3.  Student-athlete will be required to perform community service work for a minimum of 15 hours to a maximum of 30 hours.
4. Student-athlete will be subject to frequent retesting as determined by the athletics administration and/or head coach.

Second Offense

Same procedure as outlined above will be implemented. Additionally, the student-athlete will be required to perform community service work for a minimum of 30 hours.

Third Offense

If a third positive test or admission of guilt occurs, it must be assumed that the student-athlete has a very significant problem or has made some conscious value judgment as to their behavior. The third offense will dictate a dismissal from the team and non-renewal of financial aid. Certain circumstances may warrant withdrawal of aid.

Based on this policy it would appear that even if Watkins tested positive following his arrest he isn’t in any serious danger unless he already has two failed test on his record. That would appear highly unlikely given the fact he has only been on campus for a year.

Bottom line, Watkins’ punishment in all likelihood will be decided by Swinney alone.