South Carolina football defensive lineman is no longer with the program, a university spokesperson confirmed to The State. The news comes in the wake of Miles’ arrest earlier this week on a felony charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The news has sent shockwaves through the Gamecocks’ roster and fanbase, as Miles had been a consistent presence on the defensive line since transferring from Bowling Green.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, deputies conducted a traffic stop near Williams-Brice Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for a window tint violation and an improperly displayed vehicle tag. During the stop, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle, prompting a search. Officials reported finding approximately 20 individual bags of green plant material consistent with marijuana. In addition, a firearm was seized due to its proximity to the drugs. Miles was briefly jailed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center but posted bond and was released by Wednesday morning.
Miles, a 22-year-old redshirt senior, joined the Gamecocks under head coach Shane Beamer and played in 11 of 12 games during the 2025 season. Primarily a reserve defensive tackle, he recorded six tackles and a tackle for loss. His career, however, had already faced hurdles; in October, Miles was one of three players who missed South Carolina’s home game against Oklahoma due to a violation of team standards, though Beamer did not specify the nature of the offense. With spring practice set to begin on March 4, the timing of this dismissal marks a major shake-up for South Carolina’s defensive rotation.
Hours after the university announced his departure, Miles released a lengthy statement on social media, taking full responsibility for his actions. “There are no excuses for the decisions I made, and I understand that my actions did not meet the standard expected of a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina,” he wrote. Miles expressed deep regret for bringing negative attention to the program, acknowledging the disappointment he caused to fans, teammates, and coaches alike.
He specifically thanked Beamer and South Carolina defensive line coach Travian Robertson for giving him an opportunity at USC, saying, “Being a Gamecock is a privilege and I did not uphold that privilege the way I should have. My love and respect for this program remain.” While it is unclear whether Miles will continue playing college football elsewhere in 2026, he pledged that this arrest would be “a turning point” in his life. “I am sorry, and I will work every day to prove that this moment does not define my future,” he concluded.
The situation underscores the challenges programs face in balancing talent with discipline and accountability. For South Carolina, it serves as a stark reminder of the standards expected from its student-athletes—on and off the field—as the Gamecocks look to regroup ahead of spring practice and beyond.