North Carolina has declared six football players ineligible for Saturday’s season-opening against LSU for breaking school and/or NCAA rules; is withholding at least six others while the investigation continues; and is waiting to establish the eligibility of three more.
In all, 15 players will not travel to Atlanta today for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff.
The six ineligible student-athletes include: defensive tackle Marvin Austin (who was suspended indefinitely) Wednesday for breaking team rules), cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.
Six other student-athletes who will be withheld from Saturday’s game include: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.
The University is also working to to determine the eligibility status of three other student-athletes. They won’t travel with the team to Atlanta today, and the school did not release their names.
The number of games that the 12 student-athletes may miss has not been determined at this time. The investigation continues to include both agent-related and academic issues.
The football program is currently mired in two investigations. The NCAA, since early July, has been looking into players’ possible improper contact with agents. Last week, the school launched a probe into whether a tutor – who formerly worked for both UNC, and head football coach Butch Davis – gave improper academic help to football players.
Athletics director Dick Baddour has said the school’s investigative team has been working around the clock to try to come to as much resolution for as many football players as possible before the No. 18 Tar Heels open the season in Atlanta on Saturday against No. 21 LSU in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff.
Baddour said in a prepared statement Friday morning: “We’re obviously very disappointed to learn that the actions of a number of our student-athletes have resulted in their being unable to compete in Saturday’s game.It is important to note again that people should not make assumptions as to the nature of each student-athlete’s involvement with these issues.
“We are still working with the NCAA staff to resolve these eligibility issues. The NCAA is focusing on each of their situations on a case-by-case basis. Together we are working to determine their status in as thorough and fair a process as is possible.
“I know our fans share my disappointment, but I hope they will show their strong support for the student-athletes on the football team who will represent our University on Saturday. I am proud of the way they have worked so hard to prepare for this season despite numerous distractions. They have my full support.”
