Clemson Tigers football coach Dabo Swinney announced that defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, offensive lineman Zach Giella and tight end Braden Galloway have failed a NCAA drug test ahead of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against Notre Dame.
Swinney delivered the news during a press conference on Monday. The players were notified that they failed the test due to trace amounts of ostarine found in their samples.
"Ostarine is a product used to boost muscle growth and prevent muscle wasting, which is a result you would normally expect from steroids," according to MYNVFI.org. "However, Ostarine differs from traditional anabolic steroids in the way it affects your body. Most notably, with Ostarine you can avoid some of the most common unwanted side effects of steroids."
The Clemson players could still be cleared to play on Saturday against Notre Dame after the results of a B sample are revealed, per Swinney. That answer from the NCAA could come as early as Wednesday.
Clemson247's Anna Hickey spoke to Clemson officials about the details surrounding the failed tests:
— Last Thursday, athletic director Dan Radakovich was notified by the NCAA that these three players had a "trace" amount of Osatrine show up in their system. It falls under the category of SARMs, a type of performance-enhancing substance.
— A second sample -- Sample B -- is being conducted to conclude that the substance is undoubtedly in their systems. Clemson anticipates hearing something back on Sample B on Wednesday. If Sample B is positive, the players cannot play. If it's negative, they can play. Clemson will appeal if it's positive, but the appeal won't be conducted or finished by Saturday's game.
— Ostarine has shown up in previous drug tests conducted on athletes, and players have later been vindicated. Ostarine can enter system through creams, hair products, and similar things.
— All three players will have legal representation.
— Clemson is preparing and practicing right now on the basis that they'll be without these players.
— When Dabo Swinney called Dexter Lawrence to talk to him about it, Lawrence thought Swinney was playing a joke on him.
— Was told "Swinney 100 percent believes in the players' innocence."
— Clemson could have waited until Wednesday to release this information but they're citing wanting to be as transparent as possible from the start.
Lawrence, a junior, would be the biggest loss for Clemson in the matchup with the Fighting Irish. The interior defender is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has made 37 tackles in 13 games. Giella, also a junior, has seen action in 11 games as a reserve guard and center. Galloway is in his first season with Clemson, and he has caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown over 12 games this season.
No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame will meet on Saturday for the right to play in the national title game against the winner of the Capital One Orange Bowl between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Oklahoma.
Swinney delivered the news during a press conference on Monday. The players were notified that they failed the test due to trace amounts of ostarine found in their samples.
"Ostarine is a product used to boost muscle growth and prevent muscle wasting, which is a result you would normally expect from steroids," according to MYNVFI.org. "However, Ostarine differs from traditional anabolic steroids in the way it affects your body. Most notably, with Ostarine you can avoid some of the most common unwanted side effects of steroids."
The Clemson players could still be cleared to play on Saturday against Notre Dame after the results of a B sample are revealed, per Swinney. That answer from the NCAA could come as early as Wednesday.
Clemson247's Anna Hickey spoke to Clemson officials about the details surrounding the failed tests:
— Last Thursday, athletic director Dan Radakovich was notified by the NCAA that these three players had a "trace" amount of Osatrine show up in their system. It falls under the category of SARMs, a type of performance-enhancing substance.
— A second sample -- Sample B -- is being conducted to conclude that the substance is undoubtedly in their systems. Clemson anticipates hearing something back on Sample B on Wednesday. If Sample B is positive, the players cannot play. If it's negative, they can play. Clemson will appeal if it's positive, but the appeal won't be conducted or finished by Saturday's game.
— Ostarine has shown up in previous drug tests conducted on athletes, and players have later been vindicated. Ostarine can enter system through creams, hair products, and similar things.
— All three players will have legal representation.
— Clemson is preparing and practicing right now on the basis that they'll be without these players.
— When Dabo Swinney called Dexter Lawrence to talk to him about it, Lawrence thought Swinney was playing a joke on him.
— Was told "Swinney 100 percent believes in the players' innocence."
— Clemson could have waited until Wednesday to release this information but they're citing wanting to be as transparent as possible from the start.
Lawrence, a junior, would be the biggest loss for Clemson in the matchup with the Fighting Irish. The interior defender is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has made 37 tackles in 13 games. Giella, also a junior, has seen action in 11 games as a reserve guard and center. Galloway is in his first season with Clemson, and he has caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown over 12 games this season.
No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame will meet on Saturday for the right to play in the national title game against the winner of the Capital One Orange Bowl between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Oklahoma.
