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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

UPDATED: The rumors in Memphis, Auburn, and the connection to UGA


Everyone wants to know whats going down on the plains. There has been a rumor going around the web that there will be news coming out soon about recent goings on in Memphis that includes violations stemming from 7 on 7 tournaments and involves Byron De'Vinner who has been a mentor to players such as Jovon Robinson, a previous Auburn player released for academic fraud, and Will Redmond, a Mississippi State player who is possibly being investigated also.

There are also rumors floating around that Jovon Robinson has paid for a Dodge Charger with money from Auburn, but the Robinson family has stated that Jovon's father had passed away and the family was left with a large settlement. There are rumors that Trooper Taylor had a hand in the academic fraud, by persuading an Auburn alumnus to change the grades, and contradicting rumors that say Auburn is who alerted the NCAA about the apparent fraud. There are also rumors that a teacher/coach at Jovon's school drove him to Auburn and did not tell his mother, and even after the car broke down and they had to stay longer the mother wasn't told, which led to her calling the police because Jovon was missing.

There are rumors that Mississippi State will be given probation and Auburn and Alabama would receive secondary violations. Some are even saying it could affect UGA, Tennessee, and any other school that may have had any contact with these or other Memphis area recruits. UGA fans may have heard that Sheldon Dawson was being investigated by the NCAA, but it is also believed to have only been about what he had heard or seen from the other involved recruits.

My opinion is that there will some truth to a portion of this, but overall there will be many disappointed fans that were wishing for the death penalty for Auburn, myself included. After the whole $Cam Newton saga there aren't many fans in the SEC that don't hold some resentment for Auburn and their "ways". If I had to make a guess I would say that MSU would receive probation after admitting to violations and removing their WR coach, and Auburn would receive a slap on the wrist because they cant prove Trouper Taylor or any other Auburn employee had a hand in the academic fraud and they have already removed Jovon Robinson.


Update:  According to the Clarion Ledger

"Byron De’Vinner, who has been interviewed by NCAA investigators, told the Head to Head radio show in Mississippi on Tuesday that he saw a “handshake” between the booster and Redmond and that former MSU receivers coach Angelo Mirando was aware of those benefits."

De’Vinner confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday afternoon that he called into the radio show, and added that the handshake between the booster and Redmond included about “$200.” He declined to answer further questions.


Updated at 10:25

According to Al.com

Another Memphis high school coach has confirmed talking to the NCAA. Former Wooddale High School assistant Courtney Rogers said today the NCAA interviewed him a month ago about why ex-Auburn running back Jovon Robinson had two transcripts.

Rogers, a former Tennessee wide receiver, said he didn't have control of the transcripts and doesn't know who did.


Updated at 12:25

ESPN is now also reporting

De'Vinner confirmed to ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday afternoon that he called into the radio show. He said the handshake between Redmond and the booster included about "$200."



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