Share
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. The NCAA has paid $150,000 to end its financial obligations with a key witness in its most recent infractions case against Alabama.
The Birmingham News reported Wednesday that recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper received the money in May in return for his agreement not to make any further financial claims on the NCAA to help with his legal bills.
Culpepper was a secret witness in the NCAA's investigation into the recruiting of Albert Means, which led to scholarship losses and five years of probation against the Crimson Tide. The NCAA signed a confidential agreement to pay his legal fees and protect him from any possible court judgments.
In 2005, a Tuscaloosa County jury awarded former Crimson Tide assistant coach Ronnie Cottrell $30million in a defamation suit against Culpepper for his role in the probe. The judgment later was thrown out
Elsewhere
CONNECTICUT: Coach Randy Edsall said the plan is to use cornerback Darius Butler for about 10 plays on offense.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Tailback Anthony Dixon isn't expected to miss this weekend's game at Georgia Tech, but he was held out of practice Tuesday with a bruised hip.
OHIO STATE: Coach Jim Tressel swears tailback Chris “ Beanie” Wells, who injured his right foot during the opener against Youngstown State, will be back this season. Team spokeswoman Shelly Poe confirmed Wells practiced.
OKLAHOMA: Defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger will be out at least four weeks and could miss the rest of the season because of a left foot injury. Coach Bob Stoops said Granger and doctors were determining whether to insert a pin.
PENN STATE: Two suspended players, defensive linemen Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, were charged with one count each of possession of a small amount of marijuana. University police filed the misdemeanor charges, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct.22.
SYRACUSE: Senior quarterback Cam Dantley, a former walk-on and the son of NBA Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley, is slated to start Saturday against Northeastern.
TENNESSEE: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton participated in all of Wednesday's practice after missing part of Tuesday to have a sore right ankle treated. OBSERVER NEWS SERVICES
