ASU Under NCAA Investigation For Alleged Recruiting Violations During Dead Period

The Arizona State University football program is under a NCAA investigating over alleged recruitment violations.

At the forefront is the allegation that the football program “hosted high school prospects during the recent COVID-19 dead period,” among other potential recruiting violations.

The university has not confirmed the nature of the NCAA allegations, however a spokesperson for ASU did release the following statement:

“ASU can confirm the NCAA is conducting an investigation regarding allegations related to our football program,” Arizona State vice president of media relations and strategic communications Katie Paquet said. “In accordance with NCAA bylaws, the university cannot provide further comment at this time.”

It’s not clear how many prospects Arizona State hosted during the recruiting dead period, which began in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, that recently lifted on June 1. However, Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports also reported, citing multiple sources, that allegedly “at least 30 players visited campus over a span of months, a practice so common coaches referenced ‘official visit weekends’ in staff meetings, coaches bumped into recruits and families in a back stairwell and a routine developed of facility tours being given around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. at night.”

There is speculation that the NCAA is in possession of screenshots, receipts, pictures and emails related to numerous potential violations within Arizona State’s football program.

It is unclear as to what degree coach Herm Edwards is involved in the  investigation. There is speculation that Edwards did in fact meet with recruits during the 15-month-long dead period. There is also concern that Edwards’ assistant, Antonio Pierce, would be involved as well in this investigation as well.

Arizona State had the nation’s No. 36 recruiting class for 2021, according to ESPN’s rankings.