Clemson K Ammon Lakip suspended after cocaine possession, DUI arrest
Clemson has indefinitely suspended placekicker Ammon Lakip after he was arrested earlier this month and charged with misdemeanor cocaine possession, driving under the influence, and refusal to take a blood, breath, or urine test.
According to court records, Lakip, 21, was arrested in Pickens County, South Carolina on June 6 and charges were filed against him five days later. He was later released on a personal recognizance bond.
"We are aware of Ammon's arrest, and he was suspended from all team activities and sent home immediately," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. "He has been suspended indefinitely. His status for the 2015 season will be evaluated later in the summer."
According to Tigernet.com, which obtained the incident report, Lakip was pulled over in the early morning hours of June 6 after an officer saw that Lakip's vehicle failed to use a turn signal as it entered a highway. The officer later observed as the car "drifted left several times" on the road.
The arresting officer noted that Lakip "had the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage about his breath." Lakip told the officer he was taking medication for back, shoulder, and ankle injuries after being asked to exit his vehicle.
Lakip was then arrested after failing several field sobriety tests.
During a subsequent search of his vehicle, an officer found a "small blue lip balm container containing a white powdery substance, consistent with cocaine."
The cocaine weighed 0.4 grams and has a street value of $50, according to the police report. Lakip was then taken to the Clemson University police department, where he refused to give a breath and a urine sample.
Lakip, a redshirt senior from Johns Creek, Ga., was Clemson's starting kicker on last season’s team that went 10-3 and routed Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Lakip converted 21 of 28 field goals and 43 of 44 extra points last season and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best kicker.
Two of his seven missed field goals came against top-ranked Florida State in September.
He missed from 23 and 40 yards out as the Seminoles beat Clemson 23-17 in overtime, a game played without Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who was suspended for the game after making vulgar comments at the school's student union earlier in the week.
- Scooby Axson
