Georgia responds to allegations of potential NCAA investigation into football program

Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Offensive player of the game Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny (96) celebrates after making the game winning field goal to win the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game between Georgia and Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta., on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (Photo/Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald)News Joshua L Jones
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Offensive player of the game Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny (96) celebrates after making the game winning field goal to win the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game between Georgia and Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta., on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (Photo/Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald)News Joshua L Jones /
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Dan Patrick alleges Georgia football could be met with an NCAA investigation stemming from recruiting violations.

Could Georgia football be in hot water with the NCAA?

That’s what Dan Patrick is hearing as Kirby Smart’s program could join Tennessee as SEC teams under investigation for recruiting violations.

Georgia admitted to impermissible contact with a recruit in their quarterly report but that Level III and Level IV violations may not be the only thing to worry about, according to Patrick.

Georgia responds to potential NCAA investigation

“I was told Tennessee is on the clock of being investigated,” Patrick said. “Next in the on deck circle — Georgia. I was told Georgia got sloppy this year in recruiting or maybe it’s been a couple of years but the NCAA is looking at Georgia as well. Just something to keep an eye on. Everything that I’m telling you is what I was told yesterday by my source.

“Maybe there’s nothing at Tennessee, there’s nothing at Georgia, I can only tell you what is happening in real time behind the scenes here.”

There’s nothing specific in what Patrick said and it opens up the door to several other questions, but it’s the last thing Smart and Georgia would want to be worried about after finishing the season with a thrilling comeback win in the Peach Bowl. And with the return of quarterback JT Daniels, among others, Georgia football has a real chance to be the preseason No. 1 next year.

After the allegations were made public, Georgia had no choice but to respond, albeit without offering much clarity or details.

“While we do not comment on alleged NCAA investigations at other institutions, we have no information to suggest there is any validity to the reports relating to our football program,” Will Lawler, Georgia’s deputy athletic director for compliance, wrote in response to an inquiry from the Athens Banner-Herald.

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