Florida Gators football is being looked into by the NCAA.
The NCAA is looking into the football program of the Florida Gators. At least since June 9, when the NCAA gave UF President Ben Sasse a letter of inquiry, the investigation has been under progress. Before speaking with any of their staff members or athletes, the NCAA’s enforcement staff formally notifies the schools of the investigation through this paper.
The four-page notice is vague on the nature of the investigation and possible infractions. However, the Tampa Bay Times asked for any notifications of inquiry about any infractions pertaining to recruiting or name, image, and likeness in October. Originally turned down, the request was approved on Friday.
“We have collaborated with the NCAA and will persist in doing so,” Gators spokesman Steve McClain stated. “On and off the field, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty and excellence. We are unable to provide further comments due to NCAA regulations regarding confidentiality.
The investigation is underway while NCAA enforcement works to stay up to date with the rapidly changing landscapes of name, image, and likeness in recruiting. Last year, an eight-figure NIL dispute between blue-chip quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada and the outside Gator Collective put the Gators in the heart of that area. After initially signing with Florida, Rashada transferred to Arizona State, where as a true freshman, he started two games.
Billy Napier, the head coach of the Gators, was questioned in February about whether he anticipated hearing from the NCAA regarding the Rashada incident. He answered, “We don’t.”
In a different case, the NCAA sanctioned the Gators in December 2020. Under former coach Dan Mullen, they were placed on a one-year probationary period for recruiting breaches. Mullen and an assistant spoke with a recruit who had not completed his junior year of high school, constituting a Level II offense. Unauthorized interaction between coaches and recruits en route to a Tampa tournament was the subject of a Level III infringement.
After offensive coordinator Alex Atkins drove a transfer prospect to a meeting with a booster who led a name, image, and likeness collective, Florida State was penalized last week. The NCAA and the Seminoles arranged a compromise in which the supporter offered the prospect $15,000 as a recruiting enticement.