COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -South Carolina safety Emmanuel Cook was arrested on a gun charge and suspended from the university Friday, making him ineligible to play for the Gamecocks.
The 19-year-old player was charged with unlawful possession of a pistol, according to a police report. Cook and James Gore III were arrested by university police Thursday night at a parking lot near campus dormitories, the report said.
The athletic department said Cook was suspended from the university because of an arrest involving a weapon.
The athletic department said coach Steve Spurrier would be available after practice Friday.
Cook’s arrest comes a day after Spurrier said three players, including starting quarterback Blake Mitchell, would sit out the first game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 1 because of excessive absences during summer school. The other players were running back Bobby Wallace and defensive back Chris Hail.
Cook was released from jail on his own recognizance, said his lawyer, Lowell Bernstein. Cook hopes to again be a student and rejoin the football team, Bernstein said.
“He’s got no record and this is out of character for him,” Bernstein said.
Bernstein said it was neither Cook’s gun nor car, but would not discuss any more about the case.
Gore, 21, from Chester, was charged with unlawful carry or display of a firearm.
Cook, a sophomore from Riviera Beach, Fla., played in 10 games a year ago, starting five. He earned a spot on the all-Southeastern Conference freshman team.
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