Two weeks after word first surfaced that he’d been subpoenaed, North Carolina’s Marvin Austin is finally facing the under-oath music.
The Tar Heels defensive tackle, ESPN.com writes, is appearing before the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office Friday morning to give testimony relating to an ongoing NCAA investigation. Austin will be queried on allegations that agents and/or financial advisors may have violated the state’s Uniform Athletes Agents Act.
The NCAA has questioned several members of the UNC football program -- as well as those at several other schools -- regarding the players’ relationships with agents and if improprieties have occurred. Shortly after the NCAA’s probe came to light, the Secretary of State’s office launched their own investigation.
Austin was one of 13 players held out of UNC’s season-opening loss to LSU, in part because of the agent portion of the NCAA’s investigation and in part because of alleged academic misconduct that was an offshoot of the original investigation. Of the baker’s dozen that didn’t play in the opener, only running back Shaun Draughn has been cleared for Saturday’s game with .
Additionally, John Blake stepped down as the Tar Heels’ assistant head coach earlier this month. Blake’s relationship with NFL agent Gary Wichard has come under intense scrutiny during the course of the NCAA’s investigation.