South Carolina Football: Tanner McEvoy Arrest Impacts Backup QB Battle

It's safe to say that the South Carolina Gamecocks have had their fair share of issues at the quarterback position over the last few years.

Tanner McEvoy added more stress for head coach Steve Spurrier and quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus to deal with.

McEvoy was arrested in Charlotte, N.C., over the weekend for speeding and driving after consuming under the age of 21, according to the Associated Press. He was released Sunday on $250 bond. The latter charge is different from a DUI in that state law prohibits minors from operating a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in their system.

South Carolina's team policy mandated that McEvoy be immediately suspended.

With Connor Shaw entrenched as the starter for the Gamecocks, McEvoy wasn't likely to see the field in 2012. But the 6'6", 209-pound redshirt freshman was expected to battle Dylan Thompson, Andrew Clifford and Seth Strickland for the role as Shaw's primary backup.

Mangus was very complimentary of McEvoy in a recent article on July 27 by Scott Hood on GamecockCentral.com.

"

He looks good. I'm anxious to see where he's at. He had a lot to work on this summer and we'll see where that progression goes. He had a very good spring game and made some plays. He showed some athleticism. He is a very talented young man. He's a lot like Connor was when he first got here. He just needs to play and get reps and the game will slow down for him. He has a bright future.

"

After the arrest and subsequent suspension, consider it an uphill battle for McEvoy to win that spot.

Clifford and Thompson both have playing time and were probably the front-runners anyway, but it's easy for any quarterback to land in Spurrier's dog house, and McEvoy's arrest will almost certainly land him there—especially after Spurrier endured Stephen Garcia for so long.

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