Quarterback Danny O’Brien drops back during a practice last week.
Eight Miami football players have been suspended for at least one game in light of an investigation of players who received improper benefits from former Hurricanes booster Nevin Shapiro, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
Among those who will miss Miami’s Labor Day date with the Terrapins at Byrd Stadium are starting quarterback Jacory Harris, linebacker Sean Spence and safety Ray Ray Armstrong.
The suspensions range from one to six games. Defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Adewale Ojomo, tight end Dyron Dye, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and wide receiver Travis Benjamin will also miss Monday’s game.
The ruling follows Yahoo Sports’ scalding in-depth investigation of the Hurricanes football program, which found that Shapiro, a convicted Ponzi Scheme architect, had provided improper benefits, including cars, hookers and other gifts, to dozens of current and former players.
“Of the eight football student-athletes, three received substantial benefits as prospective student-athletes from Shapiro and athletics personnel to entice them to enroll at the university, which are considered some of the most serious recruiting violations within the NCAA,” the organization wrote in a release.
Armstrong’s and Spence’s suspensions are especially significant for a Miami defense opening its season against what could be a potent Terps passing attack led by quarterback Danny O’Brien. Armstrong had a team-best three interceptions last year en route to second-team All-ACC honors, while Spence was voted the Hurricanes’ co-most valuable player in 2010.
sports@umdbk.com
