South Carolina football fans are familiar with gun charges upending a player's football career. This time last year, incoming 4-star freshman defensive end Monteque Rhames, incoming 3-star defensive back Cameron Upshaw, and redshirt freshman defensive back Anthony Rose were suspended indefinitely and arrested after an issue surrounding a gun charge. At this point, it is unclear if any of the three players could wind up back in Columbia.
Now, it's the rival Clemson Tigers' turn to deal with a similar issue.
According to a report from Fox Carolina's Freedom Stoddard, Clemson redshirt junior defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart was arrested earlier this month on charges of "carrying or displaying firearms on school property" and "failure to exercise due care while operating a motor vehicle." The language of the gun charge was worded very similarly to the reports surrounding Rhames, Upshaw, and Rose.
Capehart is suspended (officially listed as "not presently participating in team activities") from the Clemson football program. It is unclear right now if Capehart has a realistic chance or returning to Dabo Swinney's team and, if he does, when that return might be. None of Rhames, Upshaw, or Rose seem set to return to USC any time soon.
Capehart was a consensus 4-star prospect coming out of IMG Academy in the class of 2020 but never lived up to expectations in the Upstate of South Carolina. During his four seasons with the Tigers, Capehart tallied 30 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and a pass deflection. He was not expected to start in 2024, but he had a chance to carve out a role in the defensive line rotation.
Clemson defensive tackles coach Nick Eason (a Clemson grad) has plenty of talent left in his position room even without Capehart. The Tigers and Gamecocks will renew the annual rivalry to end the 2024 regular season on November 30th.