Georgia admits to violation in recruitment of Crowell

Self-reporting a violation is starting to become a habit for Mark Richt and Georgia.

After the Bulldogs came clean with five violations due to former players David Pollack and Randall Godfrey being at Class of 2011 defensive end/linebacker signee Ray Drew’s commitment announcement in January, the team violated NCAA rules in its recruitment of five-star running back Isaiah Crowell.

Crowell signed with Georgia in February, but the school’s self-reported violation temporarily made him ineligible. However, the NCAA promptly reinstated the running back's eligibility on a request from a letter written by Bulldogs athletic director Greg McGarity on March 4.

There are plenty of restrictions a school must work under in the recruitment of a player, one of which is the prohibition of cultivating a game-day experience when a prospect visits. When Crowell made his trip to Athens, however, Georgia had its offensive starters in formation to run a play while wearing their jerseys.

The only player missing from the simulated play as Crowell entered the practice facility?

The running back.

This ploy was in violation of an NCAA rule, but it's likely to go down as a secondary violation. Georgia self-reported it to the NCAA, and the school promptly took action on its head coach, as Richt will not be allowed to call recruits or their families during April’s evaluation period.

The good news for Bulldog fans is that Crowell's eligibility, indeed, remains intact.

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave