As it turns out, the recruitment of Cam Newton isn’t the only the only area of interest the NCAA has in Auburn.
First reported by SportsByBrooks.com, and later confirmed by Thayer Evans of FOX Sports.com, NCAA investigators were in Louisiana Monday interviewing a handful of people regarding the recruitment of offensive lineman Greg Robinson and wide receiver Trovon Reed. Specifically, the NCAA is interested in the involvement of Sean Nelson, who accompanied the then-recruits on unofficial visits to the school on multiple occasions.
At issue is at least one of those players flashing cash and a new iPhone to his high school coaches and classmates following an unofficial visit to Auburn last year. And, even more so, the fact that Nelson has one of those scarlet NCAA letters attached to his name -- “street agent”. From Brooks:
Dennis Lorio, one of the people interviewed by the NCAA and Robinson’s former coach, told FOX Sports.com that he’s the wrong person to ask if there was anything below board that took place during the recruitment of one of his ex-players.
“I can’t say what Auburn did because I don’t know and I wasn’t involved very much,” Lorio said Wednesday. “I really don’t know truthfully.
“My answer is what went on with Greg’s recruitment, you’re going to have ask Trooper Taylor, Greg, his parents and, I believe, Sean Nelson. I don’t have any more answers because I don’t know.”
For his part, Trooper Taylor (no relation) dismissed the notion that he had anything to do with giving recruits cash and prizes.
“It’s illegal to give money,” the AU assistant said back in January ahead of the national title game. “Greg Robinson got travel money for coming down with him and his family, which is for mileage and they got a check for that. That was it.”
Apparently, that’s not it at all.
In addition to Lorio, Robinson, Robinson’s mother and Nelson were among those who spoke with investigators.