The University of Tennessee’s football program has been charged with 18 Level I violations — the most severe under NCAA rules — for impermissible recruiting benefits.
A notice of allegations published Friday states that former head coach Jeremy Pruitt and his associates provided almost $60,000 in inducements to recruits over a three-year period.
Pruitt, his wife Casey, and seven members of his coaching staff are at the center of the alleged violations.
UT fired Pruitt and the assistant coaches in January 2021 after an internal investigation by the university.
Among the allegations is that Pruitt and his staff hosted at least six prospects for nine unofficial weekend visits at which the Tennessee employees provided a bevy of services and goods totaling $12,000.
Jeremy Pruitt himself allegedly made separate $3,000 and $6,000 payments to two recruits’ mothers, while Casey Pruitt allegedly made payments totaling $13,000 to prospects and their families.
In total, the notice claims that as many as 12 UT athletes played in more than 60 games while ineligible under NCAA rules.
While the Level I violations could carry serious penalties, the notice didn’t say that Tennessee had a “lack of institutional control” because it was transparent and promptly attempted to rectify the wrongdoing.
