Gamecocks TE Tucker giving up football for medical reasons

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina coach Will Muschamp says freshman tight end Robert Tucker III is giving up football due to medical concerns.

Muschamp said Tuesday that the 6-foot-3, 238-pound player from Atlanta, Georgia, met with a spinal specialist after having some numbness in his neck. Muschamp says the conclusion after the exam was that Tucker needs to give the game up to keep something more serious from occurring.

The coach says Tucker will remain in school and involved in the athletic department in some capacity, possibly with the football team.

Tucker had not played this season. He caught 16 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games as a senior at B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta. Tucker signed with South Carolina in February.

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