Da’Norris Searcy to return for UNC
Safety Da’Norris Searcy has been cleared to return to play for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels this weekend when they face-off against the East Carolina Pirates.
Searcy was held out of the first three games of the season, while the school attempted to determine his eligibility. The youngster was suspected to have been involved with an ongoing investigation at the school headed by the NCAA.
The investigation is attempting to uncover whether or not student athletes on the football team were receiving improper benefits from sports agents. The NCAA dictates that students are only able to receive gifts from agents after they have told their university’s
athletic director that they have signed with the agent. If the player receives anything from the individual before the university is notified, he has broken NCAA rules.
The school was linked to this type of activity in late August, and 13 players were forced to sit out of the opening game in order to determine their eligibility. So far the NCAA has permitted Searcy and running back Shaun Draughn to return to the club, but
has handed down a six-game suspension to corner back Kendric Burney and a four-game suspension to defensive back Deunta Williams. Moreover, the status of the nine remaining players remains unresolved, and the university may be facing more suspensions.
Searcy played all 13 games for the Tar Heels last year and was missed early in the season, with the club limping to a 1-2 record so far this year.
Searcy comes back in time to face-off against East Carolina. Normally, this would be considered an easy game for the Tar Heels. But with several of their starters still unavailable, the game against the 2-1 Pirates has become anything but a sure thing.
Tags: