Miami Hurricanes Declare Players Ineligible; NCAA Has Next Move

The University of Miami football program declared several players ineligible as the school tries to get out ahead of an NCAA investigation, ESPN reported Friday.

The players were not identified, but quarterback Jacory Harris and up to 12 other teammates are being investigated for their alleged connections to convicted ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro, who claims he provided cash and other inducements to Miami players since he became a team booster in 2001.

Simply being declared ineligible now does not necessarily mean a player would miss any games, ESPN said.

Under NCAA rules, when a school finds violations have occurred, the athlete typically is declared ineligible and the NCAA begins a reinstatement process. The NCAA will also decide if that player needs to miss any games. And the clock is running: Miami opens the season at Maryland on Sept. 5.

"The school must declare the student-athlete ineligible and then can seek reinstatement," NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn told ESPN.

Read Sunshine State News this weekend for a full report.