The University of Tennessee Athletics is currently undergoing an NCAA investigation for potential violations of rules.
The investigation, as reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, focuses on name, image, and likeness (NIL) benefits provided to student-athletes across various sports, including football.
According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, Tennessee is being probed by the NCAA for alleged major violations related to NIL, with a particular focus on quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Spyre Sports Group, which is Tennessee’s largest collective.
It’s noteworthy that NIL benefits were introduced on July 1, 2021.
In July 2023, the NCAA imposed a five-year probation on Tennessee, and the former head coach of the football team, Jeremy Pruitt, received a six-year show-cause penalty. Furthermore, the Vols faced the loss of 28 football scholarships over five years due to violations that occurred during Pruitt’s coaching tenure. Tennessee had already self-imposed 16 scholarships for the 2021-22 period.
Jeremy Pruitt served as Tennessee’s head coach from 2018-20, and he was succeeded by Josh Heupel, who has achieved a 27-12 record since taking over in 2021.
