Clemson's Dexter Lawrence Will Remain Suspended for CFP Championship vs. Alabama

Clemson starting defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence will remain suspended and won't play in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama on Monday.

According to ESPN.com, Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich released the following statement Thursday regarding Lawrence and two other suspended players:

"Clemson will not have tight end Braden Galloway, offensive lineman Zach Giella and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence available for Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama. However, Clemson has been informed by the NCAA that the three student-athletes will be permitted to travel to Santa Clara, Calif., with the team later this week.

"As requested by these student-athletes, Clemson filed notices of appeal with the NCAA. We will continue to work with the three impacted student-athletes and their legal representatives over the coming weeks to prepare the appeals. Neither Clemson, Galloway, Giella nor Lawrence anticipate having further comment on this matter until after the appeals have concluded."

B samples of drug tests administered to Lawrence, Galloway and Giella showed trace amounts of the banned substance ostarine last week.

All three players were held out of the Cotton Bowl, which saw Clemson beat Notre Dame 30-3 to advance to the title game.

ESPN.com noted that there have been cases of ostarine being included in supplements and not listed as an ingredient.

Lawrence denied knowingly taking the substance: "We get tested regularly and we know not to do anything stupid or selfish like that. That's why this is such a shock."

The three Clemson players could be suspended for as long as one year depending on their appeals, but Lawrence has the option of declaring for the NFL draft.

On his most recent big board, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranked Lawrence as the No. 20 overall player and No. 6 defensive lineman in the 2019 NFL draft class.

In 13 games this season, Lawrence registered 36 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception as Clemson's primary run stuffer.

The 340-pound junior was replaced by senior Albert Huggins in the Cotton Bowl.

Huggins finished with one tackle against Notre Dame as part of a defensive line that features a potential trio of NFL first-round picks in Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins.

With Lawrence out, Huggins will likely start again in the title game and he will be tasked with slowing down an Alabama rushing attack led by Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.