Gainesville, Florida – The University of Florida’s football program is currently facing an investigation by the NCAA. This inquiry has been ongoing since June 9, when UF President Ben Sasse received a notice of inquiry from the NCAA’s enforcement staff. The four-page document serves as a formal notification to schools before any interviews with staff or athletes take place.
The specific nature of the investigation and the potential violations are not disclosed in the notice. However, in October, the Tampa Bay Times filed a request for any notices of inquiry relating to name, image, and likeness or recruiting violations. Initially denied, the request was eventually fulfilled last Friday.
Steve McClain, a spokesperson for the Florida Gators, stated that they have been cooperating with the NCAA and are dedicated to upholding high standards of excellence and integrity both on and off the field. However, due to NCAA policies regarding confidentiality, they are unable to provide any further comments.
This investigation comes at a time when NCAA enforcement is grappling with the rapidly evolving landscape of recruiting and name, image, and likeness. In the past, the Gators found themselves at the center of this space, as exemplified by the eight-figure NIL dispute involving blue-chip quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada and the third-party organization, Gator Collective. Although Rashada initially signed with Florida, he eventually joined Arizona State, where he started two games as a true freshman.
Gators head coach Billy Napier was asked about the situation regarding Rashada and whether he expected to hear from the NCAA. His response last February was, “We don’t.”
This is not the first time the University of Florida has faced sanctions from the NCAA. In a separate case in December 2020, the Gators received a one-year probation due to recruiting violations under then-coach Dan Mullen. These violations included a Level II infraction involving Mullen and an assistant meeting with a recruit who had not yet completed their junior year of high school, as well as a Level III infraction involving impermissible contact between coaches and recruits on their way to a tournament in Tampa.
In a related matter, last week Florida State also received sanctions from the NCAA. Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins was found to have driven a transfer prospect to a meeting with a booster associated with a name, image, and likeness collective. According to the negotiated resolution between the NCAA and the Seminoles, the prospect was offered $15,000 as a recruiting inducement.
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