South Carolina suspends 3 freshman after 1 reportedly arrested on weapons charges

South Carolina suspended three freshman football players indefinitely on Friday after one of them was arrested on weapons charges overnight, according to The State's Ben Portnoy.

In a brief statement, the Gamecocks did not say why Monteque Rhames II, Anthony Rose, and Cameron Upshaw were being suspended, but included the following quote from head coach Shane Beamer:

"Our student-athletes know what is expected of them. They know that both the University and the football program will hold them accountable for their actions and decisions."

Per the State, Richland County jail records show Rhames, who moved onto campus last month, was arrested Thursday night on charges of carrying weapons on school property and obstruction of justice. The former is listed on the South Carolina statehouse's website as a felony.

The records reportedly show Rhames was booked at midnight. Per an incident report, campus police responded to a "housing complaint" at an on-campus dorm complex at 9:20 p.m., with references tp "weapon law violations" concerning a rifle. Rhames, Rose and a juvenile are reportedly listed as suspects in the alleged incident.

Rhames is reportedly still in jail as of Friday afternoon, with his first court appearance scheduled for March 31 and bond set at $10,000.

Rhames, a Sumter, S.C. native, is rated by Rivals as a four-star defensive end one of the Gamecocks' top signees in the Class of 2023. He and Upshaw, a three-star defensive back, were among the program's early enrollees. Rose, formerly a four-star safety, was a member of South Carolina's Class of 2022. He redshirted last season after not appearing in a game.