There been little movement, at least publicly, in the extensive investigation the NCAA has undertaken into several football programs and their players’ relationships with agents.
It seems, however, that the first domino is in the process of being tipped over. How many more may fall remains to be seen.
According to a tweet from Travis Haney of the Charleston Post & Courier, South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders will not practice this week due to “personal reasons”. This mini-report comes from an unnamed source, and the school has yet to address Saunders’ current status.
Head coach Steve Spurrier is expected to meet with the media following practice Monday evening, and there’s little doubt that Saunders will be a major focus of the discussion.
Saunders, along with North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin, has been a public focal point of the NCAA’s probe into several players jetting to Miami’s South Beach and attending a party this past Memorial Day weekend. Exactly how the players paid for the trip and accommodations are of special interest to the NCAA.
Additionally, Saunders was one of three Gamecock players who had been staying at a local hotel, an arrangement that’s also come under scrutiny of late. NCAA investigators have been to the USC campus at least three times regarding the two “issues” related to Saunders.