Since the initial flurry of reports last week surrounding the NCAA’s investigation into the recruitment of Cam Newton -- and the allegations that a middleman was seeking a six-figure payment in exchange for Newton’s signature on a letter of intent -- there’s been real developments reported over the last couple of days.
That doesn’t mean, though, that the situation has gone away.
Speaking to USA Today, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said that the NCAA is still conducting an active investigation into the situation.
“It’s not a closed matter,” he said. “It’s still ongoing. ... But we look for Cam to continue to play for us.”
If Newton or a member of his family were to ultimately be found to have received impermissible benefits, Newton could have his eligibility stripped and put Auburn in line for an NCAA slap for using an ineligible player. The school, however, doesn’t seem the least bit concerned it would ever get to that point.
“Any of our student-athletes, if we had any questions about them, about their eligibility,” Jacobs said, “we wouldn’t want them to play.”
(Tip O’ the Cap: Chris Low of ESPN.com’s SEC blog)