Report: Tennessee football under investigation by the NCAA

Just as the Tennessee Volunteers took an early lead over the Texas A&M Aggies today in Neyland Stadium, Trey Wallace dropped this report. According to Wallace, Tennessee football is under investigation by its own compliance department and the NCAA.

The football program is under investigation for alleged impermissible benefits and recruiting violations. The student-athletes involved are currently on the roster, per the report.

Inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer was specifically named in the report, noting that he had been questioned by the school’s compliance department.

It may be notable that quarterback Brian Maurer and running back Eric Gray were not available to play in Saturday’s game, and no reason was offered.

For Jeremy Pruitt, the timing of this leaking simply could not come at a worse time. He’s already fighting for his job, finishing up what looks to be a 3-7 season in year three of his tenure. Now with a publicized NCAA investigation hanging over his head and with the early signing period behind us, what does Athletics Director Phillip Fulmer do?

We’ll leave you with this thought from Zach Barnett of FootballScoop.com.