Minutes before Saturday’s 41-3 win over Florida Atlantic, the Gators released a statement saying they had declared Floyd ineligible and would not let him play until the NCAA reinstated him. The university did not specify how long it has known about the undisclosed issue, but said it was not related to “sports agents, University of Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida.”
A spokesperson for Florida football did not immediately return a message seeking confirmation of a Tuesday hearing.
Cohen also said the NCAA had questions about Floyd’s eligibility in the early part of this year. During the investigator’s interview of Cohen, it was not made clear what specific actions were in question.
“I don’t know what the allegations are,” Cohen said. “I assume it has to do with when he was in high school, with recruitment, but I really don’t know. The NCAA wouldn’t tell me what any of it was about.”
Floyd played all 13 games last year as a true freshman. He came to the Gators as the No. 4 prospect in the country, and made official visits to Ohio State, North Carolina and Southern California.
“I know he was highly recruited by North Carolina, and I believe that’s where his name came up with the NCAA,” Cohen said.
The NCAA has been investigating North Carolina since July 2010 for allegations of various improper benefits given to football players. The North Carolina situation — which led to the firing of head coach Butch Davis — seemed to center on current players rather than recruits.
One thing the NCAA asked Cohen about, he said, was a bake sale the high school held in order to help Floyd finance his trip to the U.S. Army scouting combine in January 2009 and to help pay for unofficial visits to colleges.
“If it’s about selling cookies, I mean, that’s ludicrous,” Cohen said.
It probably isn’t. If the bake sale was the problem, it is highly unlikely it would have taken this long for Florida and the NCAA to determine his eligibility. Also, it is possible the NCAA investigated one issue eight months ago and now is looking into a completely separate situation.
But if it is one investigation and if Cohen’s timeframe is accurate, that would seemingly rule out collegiate academics as the reason for Floyd’s ineligibility.
As for Floyd’s mindset, Cohen said he is “doing OK.” He believed Floyd was unaware that he was being held out of the season opener until the day of the game, so he was surprised by the move.
“He’s fine,” Cohen said. “He’s doing OK. He realizes there are allegations against him and it’s a situation that has to be dealt with by the NCAA.”
Floyd was expected to be a starter for Florida this year. Against FAU, the Gators started senior William Green in his place.
