South Carolina WR Shaq Roland leaves program, could enter NFL draft
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that wide receiver Shaq Roland has left the program, according to 247Sports.com.
It was reported earlier in the day that Roland did not travel with the team for its bowl game. Roland also missed team meetings Sunday and practices Monday and Tuesday.
“Shaq Roland is not with the team anymore,” Spurrier said upon the team's arrival to Shreveport, La. “He elected to drop out of school and maybe go pro. That was his choice and we wish him the best.”
Roland, a junior, is South Carolina's third-leading receiver with 26 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns.
After catching seven passes for 94 yards in South Carolina's second game of the season, a 33-23 win over East Carolina on Sept. 6, Roland never caught more than four passes in a game. He also did not start South Carolina's final four games of the regular season.
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Roland did not travel with the team for its Oct. 4 game at Kentucky due to a violation of team rules.
For his South Carolina career, Roland caught 56 passes for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons.
The Gamecocks (6-6) play Miami (6-6) in the Independence Bowl on Saturday.
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