It has been a relatively quiet offseason in Austin since the arrival of new Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong, but that might be about to change.
According to documents obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, the University of Texas reported to the NCAA enforcement staff on June 6 that two Longhorn football players received a meal paid for by an agent. It wasn't clear when the agent paid for the players' meal, per the report. If investigators ultimately find that violations occurred, the players in question could face discipline from the organization.
The names of the two players were not in the documents obtained by the American-Statesman. Orangebloods.com reported that linebackers Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond appear to be the two athletes allegedly involved. The site also reported that Justin Bingman, who is with the agency One Sports Group, also sent several tweets in late March stating that he was having dinner with various Texas players, including Hicks, Edmond, top NFL Draft prospect Cedric Reed and defensive tackle Desmond Jackson.
The tweets have since been deleted, though. Orangebloods.com reported a source close to Reed said Reed is not involved with Bingman or One Sports Group.
Nick Voinis, a Texas spokesman, told the American-Statesman on Monday that the case was "being processed through the NCAA through regular procedures." Typically, once a potential violation is uncovered, both the school and enforcement staff members will investigate the matter to determine what happened.
While contact between certified agents and players that have been out of high school for three years is not specifically prohibited by organizations like the NFLPA, the NCAA prohibits student-athletes from accepting any benefits from agents (or their associates) or entering into any kind of representation agreement.
The Texas football program has avoided major NCAA violations since leaving the Southwest Conference a few decades ago, but the report will no doubt prompt some scrambling on the part of the school to look into the matter.
Strong has a reputation for running a clean program and the news that two of his players might be in hot water before the season has begun is not likely to sit well with the new coach prior to his appearance at Big 12 Media Days next Tuesday.
*Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer. *
