NCAA rules Alabama DE Dareus ineligible for two games
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) - The NCAA has declared Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus ineligible for two games due to his dealings with sports agents.
In its ruling, the NCAA said Dareus must repay benefits to become eligible again. Those benefits amount to $1,787.17, which will go to a charity of his choice.
The ruling means Dareus will miss the Crimson Tide's season-opener Saturday night against San Jose State and then a game against No. 19 Penn State on September 11.
Dareus led the SEC in sacks with 6 1/2 as a sophomore in 2009. He added 33 tackles, nine for a loss, and one interception in 14 games for the national champion and current No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide.
The NCAA said the case submitted by Alabama shows Dareus accepted benefits that included airfare, lodging, meals and transportation during two trips to Miami. The NCAA said Dareus could have been suspended four games, but "based on the mitigating circumstances in the case" reduced the penalty to two contests.
Alabama plans on appealing the NCAA's decision to the organization's Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, an independent committee comprised of representatives from NCAA member colleges, universities and athletic conferences. However, Dareus will remain ineligible until the conclusion of the appeals process.
"We respect the decision but we are at the same time disappointed in the suspension," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "We'll continue to support Marcell as we move forward. Hopefully Marcell and all involved have learned a valuable lesson from this and like I've said before, we will continue to work on establishing stronger legislation in terms of agent and financial advisor guidelines."
Dareus has been connected with what has become known as an infamous trip to Miami with several other college football players that may or may not have been sponsored by an agent.
South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders and several members of the North Carolina football team, including star defensive tackle Marvin Austin, were also being investigated by the NCAA for similar allegations. Austin was suspended indefinitely on Wednesday for violating team rules, but Tar Heels head coach Butch Davis said the decision for a suspension was not related as a result of the ongoing NCAA review.
"We are appreciative of the NCAA's efforts in this matter," Alabama associate athletic director of compliance Mike Ward said. "It is important to note that Marcell never intentionally violated any NCAA rules and did not knowingly receive any benefits from an agent. Marcell lived up to the letter and spirit of the NCAA cooperative principle and the NCAA described him as 'one of the most truthful student-athletes we have ever interviewed.' While the institution weighs the decision to appeal, we will continue to pursue all available means to protect our student-athletes and their families from agents and financial advisors willing to compromise or exploit them. We will assist the NCAA, NFL, NFLPA, and any interested state and federal regulatory bodies in their prosecution, regulation, or sanctioning of individuals who disregard legislation pertaining to our student-athletes."
