The Mark Richt era hasn’t even officially gotten underway on the football field but the Miami Hurricanes are already looking at potential NCAA violations.
The Hurricanes have suspended leading returning linebacker Juwon Young indefinitely amidst potential NCAA rule violation allegations. The investigation surrounds the use of a luxury vehicle from a car agency, while the suspension comes from Young’s unwilligness to tell the truth to internal compliance officers.
The Miami Herald is reporting that Young isn’t just suspended indefinintely, but his status with the team for the year may be in jeopardy as well.
Young was expected to see plenty of playing time as he was the second-leading tackler on the 2015 team with 57 total.
It could be a bad situation for Richt’s defense too, as star defensive end Al Quadin Muhammad is also linked to this investigation. He racked up 54 tackles and 5.0 sacks last season for the Hurricanes.
However, the investigation goes deeper than just Young and Muhammad; and according to CBS Sports it also includes four or five other players. None of those players (including Muhammad) have had suspensions announced, likely because they came clean to internal compliance office staff during their investigation.
Am told UM investigation into use of luxury cars extends beyond Young and AQM. Four or five UM players being investigated. Young suspended..
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 24, 2016
… Because he didn't come clean when UM questioned him. UM will report to NCAA if it finds violations. UM Nevin probation ends in October.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 24, 2016
The NCAA is not the one handling the investigation at this point, and that could be a good thing for Mark Richt and his Hurricanes football program. After all, this is a program still on probation from the Nevin Shapiro scandal.
While these incidents don’t reflect well on the program, it doesn’t appear Richt (who has his own history of minor NCAA violations to speak of) knew of or was involved when these incidents allegedly took place.
