Yahoo Sports on Wednesday reported that five Southeastern Conference football players, including former Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray and former Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker, received improper benefits during their careers.
The report, which came a day after Sports Illustrated began a five-part series detailing allegations into Oklahoma State’s program, cited financial records and text messages of former Alabama defensive end Luther Davis and an unnamed NFL source. The unnamed source said Davis acted as a go-between for the players with NFL agents and financial advisers.
Other players named were current Tennessee defensive end Maurice Couch, former Mississippi State receiver Chad Bumphis and former Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Tennessee coach Butch Jones said on his weekly radio show that Couch would not play in Saturday’s game at Oregon due to heat exhaustion he suffered during Tuesday’s practice.
Alabama, Mississippi State and Tennessee each released statements Wednesday responding to the report.
“We have been aware of some of the allegations in today’s story, and our compliance department was looking into this situation prior to being notified that this story was actually going to be published,” Crimson Tide athletic director Bill Battle said. “Our review is ongoing. We diligently educate our student-athletes on maintaining compliance with NCAA rules, and will continue to do so.”