Clemson University defensive tackle Vic Burley has been suspended indefinitely from the football team following his arrest by campus police on Saturday morning.
The five-star recruit was taken into custody by the Clemson University Police Department in the early hours of Saturday and charged with disorderly conduct. Authorities have not yet released details explaining what led to the arrest.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed the indefinite suspension in an official statement on Saturday.
"Earlier today, I was made aware of defensive tackle Vic Burley's arrest by the Clemson University Police Department for disorderly conduct," Swinney said. "I have made the decision to suspend Vic from our football team indefinitely. We are extremely disappointed by his actions and decisions."
Clemson season opener and Tigers defensive lineup
The arrest leaves Clemson without a key defensive player just two weeks before opening its 2026 college football season on the road against Louisiana State University on September 5. Swinney and the Tigers are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season in which they missed out on the college football playoffs.
Burley, entering his fourth season with the program, was expected to play a major role in the Tigers interior line this year. Clemson was working to rebuild its defensive front after former star tackle Peter Woods was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs in April.
Recruiting history and injury record
Standing 6-foot-4, Burley was a highly rated five-star recruit out of Warner Robins, Georgia, when he signed with Clemson. According to the Post and Courier, he chose the Tigers over scholarship offers from top programs including Georgia, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Despite his high recruiting profile, Burley has yet to make the full on-field impact many anticipated. He missed his entire freshman season due to a knee injury before returning to play 13 games, with one start, during the 2025 campaign.
Prior to his arrest, Burley had missed part of pre-season training camp with an undisclosed injury. However, he had recently returned to practice and was expected to be healthy for the season opener at LSU.
