The violation stems from the recruitment of Isaiah Crowell, one of the top running backs in the country and the crown jewel of Georgia’s 2011 recruiting class. The school self-reported what they hope will be considered a secondary violation that occurred during Crowell’s official visit in January and involved a “missing-player formation”.
"Mark Richt and the football staff arranged for the offensive lineman, wide receivers, fullback and quarterback to gather during the PSA’s (Crowell) official visit exit meeting in the indoor practice facility that Coach Richt’s office overlooks. The current student-athletes walked into the practice facility and were dressed in their game-day uniform tops only and looked up toward Coach Richt’s office. … By the time the PSA made his way to the field, the team was in an offensive alignment without a running back. The PSA was subsequently handed a jersey and stood in the vacant running back position created by the team."
Per McGarity’s letter, "Coach Richt knew that the team could not use equipment or run a play to create a tryout activity but did not check with the Compliance Office beforehand about the offensive alignment. … Coach Richt knew that the activity could not occur in the stadium, for the public to view, equipment to be used or for an actual play to be run an did not believe this constituted a game day simulation."
As a result of the violation, Gentry Estes of Dawgs 24/7.com writes, Richt would not be allowed to place phone calls to recruits or their families during April’s evaluation period.
Additionally, Crowell’s eligibility had apparently been stripped as the school asked for it to be restored, which it was.
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