There’s a certain segment of the population -- think “War Eagle!” -- that, when it comes to the Cam Newton investigation, has their collective heads buried deep in The Plains, absolutely certain the probe into the Heisman-winning quarterback’s recruitment ended long ago.
There’s another that’s equally certain Auburn’s merely squatting on the crystal and the NCAA will strip the Tigers’ title away any minute now.
Based on at least on report, both factions are going to be terribly disappointed.
According to Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News, and citing people with reason to know -- seriously, that’s who he cited -- “the NCAA is still conducting an active investigation into Auburn’s recruitment of Newton.” The NCAA has dedicated one member of its enforcement staff to the Newton situation, whose sole job is, Scarbinsky writes, “turning over every rock to make sure the NCAA doesn’t get blindsided down the road.”
Scarbinsky’s account falls squarely in line with SEC commissioner Mike Slive‘s public, on-the-record words earlier this month.
“You’re going to have to ask them, but nobody has written me a letter that says it’s over,” Slive told ESPN.com‘s Chris Low.
While the investigation remains open and active, however, that doesn’t mean any type of shoe’s about to drop on Auburn, either. The same sources told Scarbinsky that “the NCAA has yet to discover or uncover new information that would wipe out Auburn’s national championship season.”
So, to summarize, and for the umpteenth time, the investigation into Newton’s recruitment is ongoing and there is still not a single shred of evidence -- yet -- that connects Auburn to Cecil Newton‘s pay-for-play scheme. In other words, the status is the same as it’s been for months: open, ongoing and, most importantly for Tiger fans, no penalties looming on the horizon.
Yet.