May 18, 2013
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The NCAA is once again is talks with the University of Tennessee about possible recruiting violations.
This time the allegations stem from the 2009 recruitment of a former five-star prospect.
"We've been verbally contacted by the NCAA enforcement staff regarding a recruiting issue in 2009 related to the former coaching staff and a student-athlete who never attended Tennessee," Tennessee spokesperson Jimmy Stanton wrote in a statement released Monday night.
Stanton said the SEC is aware of the situation.
According to a Yahoo! Sports report, the student-athlete is running back Lache Seastrunk.
The report says former Tennessee assistant coach Willie Mack Garza, a member of Lane Kiffin's staff, wired $1,500 to former scout Willie Lyles. Lyles told Yahoo! that the money covered the costs for Seastrunk and his mother to fly from Waco, TX to Knoxville on an unofficial visit.
Lyles said he has provided the NCAA receipts for plane tickets and a hand-written MoneyGram receipt.
Lyles has past relationships with LSU and Oregon. The NCAA is investigating both schools and their ties with Lyles.
Seastrunk signed with Oregon, but now attends Baylor.
In 2010, Garza followed Kiffin to Southern Cal, but last month resigned citing "personal issues."
Last month, the NCAA's 22-month investigation into the UT athletic department came to an end. The school self-imposed two years of probation, which the NCAA accepted.
Click on the link below to read the Yahoo! Sports report.
click team for highlights and more!
