Used to be the University of Miami Hurricanes had a lock on recruiting football talents in the "state of South Florida," but over the past few decades other schools have recognized the importance of our local talent hotbed. Now the NCAA is launching an investigation into allegations of shady recruiting tactics in the region. No Florida schools are involved, and the NCAA is targeting Ohio State, Louisiana State, Auburn and Tennessee.
The report comes without much detail from The Sun-Sentinel's Dave Hyde:
"NCAA investigators are coming to South Florida this week to look into the recruiting of several high-school football stars and the methods of several colleges in doing so, according to a source.The investigation probably grew out of probes already targeting Auburn and Ohio State. The Auburn Tigers are still facing the heat for allegations of money exchanging hands that lead to the team snagging Cam Newton, while Ohio State's sweater-vest-loving coach Jim Tressel recently resigned in the midst of an investigation into his program over, amongst other things, players trading memorabilia for free tattoos.
...The schools involved have been successful for years in getting players out of South Florida, and enough red flags have been raised about money changing hands in the recruiting process to merit the investigation, the source said.
High schools officials, street agents, seven-on-seven tournaments - they're all going to be asked questions by the NCAA."
Sounds like the program's problems could just be beginning. It's the rare bit of news that can make 'Noles, 'Canes and Gators fans all happy. They have enough competition recruiting the state between themselves without out-of-state schools coming down here with allegedly shady tactics.
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