Ruling in hotel matter coming soon

COLUMBIA -- The NCAA could rule as early as today concerning several South Carolina players' living arrangements at The Whitney Hotel.

Minor suspensions, one or two games, are the expectation. Even coach Steve Spurrier has indicated that in recent weeks. He's repeatedly said he expects a decision about the hotel matter before Thursday's opener against Southern Miss.

The same goes for tight end Weslye Saunders' potential involvement with an agent. In the interim, Saunders remains suspended by the team for lying to Spurrier about why he was late to a practice.

Spurrier didn't make himself available to reporters Monday evening. He's waiting until his weekly news conference, at noon today, to speak.

If the NCAA's decision comes down this afternoon, Spurrier could make an announcement this evening on his radio show.

Spurrier's assistants, including a couple requested for interviews, didn't speak Monday evening because of an impromptu staff meeting. A part of that meeting, a source said, included discussions about how to handle the NCAA's news, particularly on the field.

Lorenzo Ward's secondary figures to be the hardest-hit area. Starting free safety Akeem Auguste and reserve cornerback C.C. Whitlock will likely be unable to avoid a suspension of some kind, sources have said.

Auguste and Whitlock are two players that fell well behind on their bills -- a central issue to this hotel situation. Both, however, have since paid off their balances.

A few other players, including starting left tackle Jarriel King, are in limbo as far as punishments, sources have said. King missed practice Sunday to deal with what Spurrier called "personal issues." He was back Monday, though.

Kyle Nunn said Monday he has been running with the first-team unit at left tackle, in King's spot, but added position coach Shawn Elliott hasn't made any final decisions about starters.

Line update

Without Elliott available, Nunn spoke about the offensive line's progress through camp.

There were several injuries, mostly to reserves, but Elliott has been upbeat about the trajectory of his unit since mid-August.

"Things started clicking a little better toward the second part of camp," said Nunn, who will be part of a three-tackle rotation, including King and Hutch Eckerson. "We've got a lot to improve on. We keep getting better and better."

Guard Terrence Campbell (ankle) was back at practice Monday. But a report said he's one of the players that might have to serve a suspension. If he's unable to go, for one reason or another, Rokevious Watkins has been working with the first team at right guard.

Big talk

Sophomore receiver Alshon Jeffery is a humble guy, to be sure. But Monday he was speaking in some very lofty terms about what he's looking for Thursday and this season.

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"I think we've got one of the best receiving corps in the nation," he said. "We're going to put on a great show Thursday."

Jeffery has spent about 10-15 minutes after every practice, working overtime by doing little pass-catching drills with grad assistants. Monday was no different.

"I'm trying to get myself prepared to be the best receiver ever," he said.

Jeffery came on last season to catch 46 passes for 763 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman.

-- Travis Haney

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