CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Quarterback Jacory Harris and 11 other Miami players who accepted extra benefits from former booster Nevin Shapiro will be allowed by the NCAA to play again, four of them without missing any games.
The harshest penalties handed down Tuesday were reserved for those who took gifts from Shapiro while being recruited. Defensive lineman Olivier Vernon will sit out six games, while Ray Ray Armstrong — considered among the nation’s top safeties — and tight end Dyron Dye will miss four games apiece. They are three of eight players, including Harris, who must sit out games and repay benefits before they can be reinstated.
Miami opens its season at Maryland on Monday night.
Harris, Sean Spence, Travis Benjamin, Marcus Forston and Adewale Ojomo — all of whom were likely starters — must sit out one game and make restitution for accepting benefits after enrolling at the school. Four other players must repay small amounts, all under $100, but will not miss any games. A 13th player, Marcus Robinson, was vindicated of wrongdoing.
The NCAA’s ruling means Stephen Morris — who led Miami past the Terrapins last season — will be at quarterback for the Hurricanes to start the season. Harris, Spence, Benjamin, Forston and Ojomo will be eligible to play when Miami hosts Ohio State on Sept. 17.
Vernon must sit six games and repay more than $1,200 because as a recruit he accepted things such as access to Shapiro’s suite at a Miami home game as well as drinks.
Also, senior wide receiver Aldarius Johnson was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
The Associated Press
