The University of South Carolina has dismissed senior tight Weslye Saunders amid an NCAA investigation.
The school is towing the line about Saunders violating team rules. He was suspended by the team for such a reason on Aug. 23. Conveniently, he is part of an investigation on USC players getting reduced rates at a hotel and allegedly receiving benefits given to players at a Miami party this summer.
"Weslye Saunders is no longer part of our football program," South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman said in a release. "Beyond that I will have no further comment."
Weslye Saunders’ dismissal weakens dismal tight end class
WIth the dismissal, Saunders’ NFL Draft stock could take a precipitous drop. His ceiling likely was the second round of the 2011 draft. Now, Saunders will have to stay in shape and test extremely well during offseason workouts.
Obviously it’s far too early to know if South Carolina will let Saunders participate in the school’s spring pro day showcase.
The fall of Saunders’ draft stock highlights an extremely weak tight end class for 2011. Unless Notre Dame’s
enters the draft a year early, don’t expect a tight end to be selected in the first two rounds.
Tennesse’s
, Wisconsin’s
, North Caolina’s
and Arkansas mult-position threat D.J. Williams are the best of the senior class.
For his career, the 6-foot-5 Saunders had 60 receptions for 718 yards and six touchdowns. He was an attractive NFL Draft prospect due to his size, playmaking ability and above-average blocking skills.
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