QB Garcia reinstated to Gamecocks, will practice

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Coach Steve Spurrier says South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been fully reinstated to the Gamecocks.

Spurrier said Monday that Garcia had done everything that was asked of him and would be at practice when the team begins workouts Wednesday night.

Garcia was suspended for the fifth time in his college career this past April for what was termed “unacceptable behavior” during a lifeskills meeting. He was restricted from all team activities for several weeks before being cleared to participate in offseason workouts with the team last May.

Garcia graduated in May. He threw for 3,059 yards, the most among returning quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference.

Spurrier, athletic director Eric Hyman and University of South Carolina president Harris Pastides collaborated on the guidelines for Garcia’s return.