Clemson University sophomore linebacker Vic Burley was taken into custody early Saturday morning after officers found him asleep behind the wheel of a parked truck on the campus.
A night that turned into a legal storm
The arrest, which occurred around 2:15 a.m. near Calhoun Drive, came after the vehicle had been stationary for more than two hours, its engine still running and its driver showing clear signs of impairment.
Police reported that Burley was unsteady on his feet, spoke with slurred speech and initially struggled to produce identification before admitting he had been waiting to pick up friends who had been drinking downtown.
A search of the truck uncovered a THC vape cartridge and a Glock 19 handgun, though investigators have not determined who owned the weapon.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced an indefinite suspension, saying he was "disappointed" by the player's choices and that the incident does not reflect the standards of the program.
Burley, now in his fourth season with the Tigers, had been praised just days earlier for his performance in the final scrimmage of fall camp and was slated to open the upcoming season against LSU on September 5.
Following his booking at the Clemson City Jail, he was released later that day and will appear in court on October 14 to face the public disorderly conduct charge.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about player conduct, substance use and the responsibilities that come with carrying a firearm on campus.