This is something I didn’t think I’d ever see happen. The Ohio State Buckeyes have self reported an NCAA violation that involves none other than Tim Tebow. As the story goes, Tebow had lunch with a recruit Clifton Garrett in March of last year. From the Orlando Sentinel:
Upon receiving the call, Coach Meyer informed Garrett that he was on vacation and having lunch with friends and family, including Tim Tebow. Garrett asked Coach Meyer if he could wish Tebow good luck on the upcoming season. Coach Meyer handed the phone to Tebow and Garrett conversed with Tebow for approximately eight seconds. Coach Meyer stated that no recruiting conversation occurred, there was no intent to have Tebow recruit on behalf of Ohio State and he, in fact, did not recruit on behalf of Ohio State.
Çoach Meyer reported that Garrett was not instructed to call by anyone from the Ohio State football staff and that neither he nor Tebow had any other communication with any other prospects during the lunch. Coach Meyer further indicated that Tebow has never spoken with any other prospective Ohio State student-athletes. Coach Meyer understands that the communication between Garrett and Tebow was an error on his part. However, he was adamant that it was a reflexive, courteous action rather than an intentional attempt to involve Tim Tebow in the recruiting process.
I sure am glad the NCAA cares about such important things like this. What would we do without them watching over the schools to make sure recruits don’t have lunches with former Heisman winners? Then again, this is a step up from worrying about players getting too much pasta.