Florida State University was hit with a Level 2 recruiting violation Thursday after an assistant coach allegedly facilitated “impermissible recruiting contact” between a transfer candidate and a booster and promised the player an NIL contract worth $15,000 a month. I was disappointed. The NCAA announced.
The coach, identified by the Associated Press as offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, was suspended for three games through the start of the 2024 season.of Seminoles Football Program He was also sentenced to two years' probation, the loss of five football scholarships for the next two seasons, and a $5,000 fine.
Alex Atkins, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Florida State Seminoles, speaks during the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Florida State Seminoles on September 16, 2023 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Fred Kfory III/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
“We are pleased that this situation has come to an end and see this as another step in strengthening Florida State's culture of compliance,” Athletic Director Michael Alford said in a statement.
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“We take all compliance matters very seriously, and our full cooperation with the NCAA in this matter is a clear example of that commitment. We remain committed to complying with all NCAA rules.”
The violation reportedly occurred during an official visit to FSU in 2022, according to the NCAA.
Atkins transported prospects identified by The Associated Press. Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims; and his parents attended off-campus meetings with boosters. That booster was the CEO of the NIL Collective, which also served as a booster for the program.
Georgia Bulldogs' No. 65 Amarius Mims takes an offensive stance during a game against the Ball State Cardinals on September 9, 2023 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Sloter/Images of Sports/Getty Images)
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“During the meeting, the sponsor encouraged him to attend Florida State University and offered him an NIL opportunity worth approximately $15,000 per month during his first year of enrollment,” the NCAA explained in a press release.
“After the interview, Booster contacted the prospect and his mother via text and phone calls. Shortly thereafter, the prospect removed his name from the transfer portal and remained at his previous school. The prospect did not sign a contract. Please use the booster or receive the related compensation. ”
The conference violated several NCAA recruiting rules, resulting in a three-year suspension for the Boosters and a one-year suspension for the Collective. Florida State was also hit with fewer in-person recruiting days and fewer official visits for next season.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei transfers to Florida State to play on three college teams.
The NCAA also found that Atkins violated conduct rules on at least two occasions during the investigation, including denying promoting the conference “when he knowingly provided false or misleading information.”
Band members wave a Florida State Seminoles flag during a pregame performance before the Camping World Kickoff Game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, September 3, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Peter Jonereit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Mr Atkins was also handed a two-year performance order, including a two-week restriction on recruitment communications, and was also restricted from off-campus recruitment activities in the autumn.
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According to the Associated Press, this is the first time the NCAA has punished a school for using name, image and likeness compensation as a recruiting inducement. Florida State University announced that head coach Mike Norvell was not found responsible for recruiting violations.
Former five-star prospect Amarius Mims entered the transfer portal in April 2022 after winning a national championship at the University of Georgia as a true freshman. He has since returned and declared for the NFL Draft in December 2023.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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