News / People
Report: NCAA Investigating Cam Newton’s Recruitment
The NCAA is investigating allegations that an agent representing Auburn quarterback Cam Newton solicited money in exchange for Newton's commitment during his recruitment out of junior college, according to ESPN.
From the story: Former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond told ESPN.com that a teammate of Bond's at Mississippi State in the early 1980s contacted him soon after Newton's official visit to Mississippi State during the Ole Miss game in December, and said he was representing Newton. "He said it would take some cash to get Cam," Bond said. "I called our athletic director, Greg Byrne, and he took it from there. That was pretty much it."
Sources say Mississippi State contacted the SEC office with Bond's information shortly after he brought it to the attention of the school. Bond released a statement through the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss.
"During the 2009 football season, I was contacted by a former football teammate, who represented to me that he was speaking for the Newton camp. He told me that Cam Newton wanted to play at Mississippi State, but that a specified payment would have to be made. I reported the conversation to the Mississippi State Athletic Department. I was told by the Athletic Department that Mississippi State would not respond to the overture that was made to me, and that Mississippi State would continue to recruit Cam Newton as it does any other football recruit."
The former teammate is said to be Kenny Rogers, who played at Mississippi State from 1982-85. Rogers is an agent out of Chicago, whose company holds camps in Chicago, Alabama and Mississippi. Rogers and his partner, Ian Greengross, have been scrutinized in the past by various organizations. NFLPA spokesman Carl Francis confirmed on Thursday the organization is currently investigating both Rogers and Greengross for violations.
Cecil Newton, Cameron's father, denied any wrongdoing. "If Rogers tried to solicit money from Mississippi State, he did it on his own, without our knowledge," Cecil Newton said.
Mississippi State was one of the schools that Newton was considering before signing with Auburn last February. He visited both along with Oklahoma.
Newton has led No. 2 Auburn to a 9-0 record this year while running for 1,122 yards and 14 touchdowns and throwing for 1,573 yards and 15 scores.
(Sources: ESPN, USA Today)
