Matt Hayes says current players involved will likely have to sit

quote:

---

Orson Charles (UGA)

---

quote:

---

LINKAndre Debose was one of dozens of athletes named by Nevin Shapiro in recorded interviews with federal agents. During those interviews, the booster admitted supplying benefits to an array of Miami players from 2002 to 2010. Shapiro alleges he provided Debose with extra benefits during recruiting visits, and also engaged in committing NCAA violations with two members of the Miami coaching staff when he had improper recruiting contact with Debose. Among Shapiro’s allegations:


Andre Debose
Position: Wide receiver
Rivals recruiting rank: Ranked as the No. 21 player overall in the Class of 2009.
Miami career: None. Committed to the University of Florida, where he is expected to be a key sophomore in 2011.

• On a Friday night in 2008, Miami assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Clint Hurtt arranged to bring Debose and two other Miami recruits – Ray-Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye – to Shapiro’s $6 million Miami Beach mansion for the purposes of the booster recruiting the players. Then-wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill also attended the players’ visit to Shapiro’s home.


• During his Friday night recruiting pitch, Shapiro took Debose, Armstrong and Dye through his mansion, stopping at one point to showcase a specially built closet filled with game-worn college and NFL jerseys of former Hurricanes greats. After the tour of the house, Shapiro took the three players for a drive on Alton Road in his $200,000 Mercedes S65.


• After the tour of his home and the ride in his Mercedes, Shapiro gave Miami equipment assistant Sean Allen approximately $2,000 to $3,000 in cash and instructed him to show Debose, Armstrong and Dye a good time. Shapiro said Allen ultimately used the money to take the players to nightclubs, including Take One Cocktail Lounge and strip club.


• Shapiro said Debose, Armstrong and Dye also were at his house for another gathering. Shapiro said the players were served food and drinks. Shapiro said another recruit, Olivier Vernon, was also on hand for this gathering.


• The booster said he also met Debose, Armstrong and Dye at Lucky Strike Lanes on a Sunday, where he watched NFL games and paid for food, drinks and entertainment for the three recruits. Shapiro said he also gave Armstrong one of Sean Taylor’s game-worn Hurricanes jerseys before the three recruits left the bowling alley.


Corroborating accounts


• A second source corroborated Shapiro’s delivering a recruiting pitch to Debose, Armstrong and Dye at his mansion. The second source also corroborated the attendance of Hurtt and Hill during this meeting.


• A second source corroborated Shapiro’s account of taking Debose, Armstrong and Dye for a ride in his Mercedes S65.


• A second source corroborated Debose, Armstrong and Dye visiting Shapiro’s mansion.


• A second source corroborated Shapiro’s account of Allen taking Debose, Armstrong and Dye to at least one nightclub after visiting with the booster.


• A second source corroborated Shapiro entertaining Debose, Armstrong and Dye at Lucky Strike Lanes.


In Shapiro’s words


• “I took [Debose, Armstrong and Dye] in my car the first night. They came to my house. They were there with Clint Hurtt, who at the time was the recruiting coordinator, and Aubrey Hill, who was the receivers coach. I gave them a strong pitch on why they should come to the University of Miami. Ray-Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye were both already in the boat, meaning they were ready to come. Debose was the only one who was wavering.”


• “They had a subsequent follow-up trip. Alcohol was being served in the house. Aubrey Hill was not on this trip. Clint Hurtt did bring them, personally.”

---