With the NCAA’s probe into the North Carolina football program still very much in the news, the governing body of collegiate athletics is also reportedly looking into a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks for the very same reason.
Impermissible dealings with the bane of the NCAA, player agents.
According to The State, an NCAA investigator was in Columbia last week interviewing South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders regarding his relationship with an agent.
The paper reports that it’s believed the Saunders questioning is tied to the North Carolina investigation, although no specifics were given connecting the two.
The Tar Heels probe is seemingly focused on players with eligibility remaining allegedly receiving illegal benefits from an agent or agents.
Saunders, who was suspended earlier this year for violating unspecified team rules, was third on the team last season 32 receptions.
UPDATED 2:09 p.m. ET: According to ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad, Saunders is good friends with North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who is reportedly a central figure in the NCAA’s look into the Tar Heels program.
Schad writes on his Twitter page that Saunders said he’s not sure how much trouble he’s in, and that the NCAA wants to know who paid for a trip the tight end took to South Florida this offseason.