Report: Florida football under NCAA investigation

Florida football is at the center of an NCAA investigation, the Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker reported. The university received a notice of inquiry on June 9th, but it’s unclear what violations the Gators committed.

“We have been and will continue to cooperate with the NCAA,” Florida spokesperson Steve McClain said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times. “We hold ourselves to high standards of excellence and integrity on and off the field. Because we follow NCAA policies about maintaining confidentiality, we are unable to offer additional comments.”

Florida recently came under NCAA investigation in 2020 under former coach Dan Mullen. The inquiry found two violations — a Level II violation which involved Mullen and an assistant meeting with a recruit before his junior year of high school, and a Level III violation regarding impermissible contact. A Level I violation is the most serious, according to the NCAA.

However, according to the notice of allegations obtained Tampa Bay Times, the NCAA didn’t directly specify “the nature of the investigation and potential violations” in the document.

The 2024 season will be an important one for Billy Napier at Florida

Florida is coming off its second season under Billy Napier, finishing with a 5-7 record. It was a game worse than his first year, which resulted in a bowl game appearance. But questions continue to swirl about the program’s future, especially after a tumultuous National Signing Day. Multiple high-profile commits flipped and signed elsewhere, knocking the Gators’ class down to No. 13 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Still, Napier and the staff managed to hold on to the crown jewel of the group. Five Star Plus+ quarterback DJ Lagway signed with the Gators. He checked in as the No. 10 overall recruit and No. 2-ranked quarterback from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The Five Star Plus+ recognition means he is one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star.

In addition, Florida also got five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray to sign, giving Napier two five-star signees as part of this year’s class.

Florida is in the early part of an important offseason for Napier ahead of Year 3. The Gators are now getting ready for spring practice and will start the 2024 campaign Aug. 31 against in-state rival Miami.