This is what’s been reported about the investigation into the Tennessee football Volunteers.
It’s gone from rumors to very serious accusations. With Jeremy Pruitt already on the hot seat among Tennessee football fans, an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations and improper benefits involving the program began on the same day the Vols lost their final game of the year to the Texas A&M Aggies.
Initial reports of an investigation before the game turned into multiple players missing the game and many reporters making the connection, including one during and one after the game directly reporting that it involves one of the player. After the game, another report touched on a story involving this recruiting season.
Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that there is a ton of uncertainty surrounding Tennessee football and Pruitt’s status with the program. Here’s a breakdown of everything that has been reported by credible sources so far.
The investigation involves the NCAA and UT
Trey Wallace of Knoxville’s WKGN-AM first reported the story just before the game kicked off. According to the story, this investigation involves the NCAA and the university itself. Take what you want from that, but the Vols may be trying to get out ahead of it, or somebody is trying to undercut Pruitt and his staff.
Eric Gray appears prominent in the investigation
Both Eric Gray and Brian Maurer didn’t play Saturday. It appears as if Gray is a major part of the investigation. Tim Owens, sports director for WATE in Knoxville, was the first to report an actual connection Saturday evening.
We’ve all been thinking it since he didn’t play today but a source close to the program just told me Eric Gray was receiving improper benefits 🤷🏻♂️#Vols
— Tim Owens (@TimOwensTV) December 19, 2020
More from All for Tennessee
Jeremy Pruitt made this a bit more suspicious. In his postgame press conference, he just said Gray was unavailable. However, when asked why, he got a bit testy without actually giving an answer. Here’s what he said.
“Guys, i’ve already addressed that one time”
So let’s break all of this down. Gray and Maurer didn’t play for Tennessee football Saturday. A TV reporter says a source has confirmed that Gray was receiving improper benefits. Pruitt refused to give a reason for Gray not playing. Now, it could be COVID-related with Gray, but all these dots seem a bit easy to connect.
In addition to Owens, Mark Schlabach of ESPN reported that a source told ESPN Gray’s absence was related to the inquiry. That’s not as damning at what Owens said, but it still is a serious issue and raises questions.
Amarius Mims’ recruitment is also part of the investigation.
Schlabach’s story named Amarius Mims specifically. A five-star offensive lineman on Rivals and four-star on 247Sports and ESPN out of Bleckley County High School in Cochran, Ga., who stands at 6’7″ and somewhere from 300 to 315 pounds, Mims committed to the Georgia Bulldogs back in October. However, the Vols were recruiting him heavily.
Brian Niedermeyer was among the people interviewed.
According to Wallace’s story, multiple players, support staffers and assistant coaches have been interviewed on this matter. One of those was inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer, who was named National Recruiter of the Year by 247sports and ESPN in 2019.
Source says it’s common knowledge the Vols cheat.
Back to Owens, another source suggested that everybody knows Tennessee football has been involved in violating NCAA rules. The cheating apparently involves monetary benefits and will get somebody fired. Here’s what Owens tweeted out on the matter.
Source on the NCAA investigating #Vols Football:
“The whole #SEC knew they have been cheating… I have some crazy stories on how they would hand out cash…
At the very least some coaches will be fired with cause.”If true this is NOT a good look for the UT football program
— Tim Owens (@TimOwensTV) December 19, 2020
All of this is a bad look for the Vols. We don’t know how real any of it is, but it has to be serious. It’s worth noting that defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley and running backs coach Jay Graham did not play in Saturday’s game.
Don’t forget the report from the summer that Graham was already placed on a six-month show-cause, set to end this year, due to recruiting violations with the Texas A&M Aggies. That may not mean anything here, but Tennessee football clearly has some issues beyond just losing on the field this year.
Article From & Read More ( Tennessee football NCAA probe looks serious. Here’s what’s been reported. - All for Tennessee )https://ift.tt/2LSSsAR
Sports
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Tennessee football NCAA probe looks serious. Here’s what’s been reported. - All for Tennessee"
Post a Comment