The Arizona State football program is being investigated by the NCAA for allegations of recruiting violations, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
The Athletic’s Doug Haller reported the Pac-12 program is under investigation to determine whether ASU hosted high school prospects during the COVID-19 dead period.
“ASU can confirm the NCAA is conducting an investigation regarding allegations related to our football program,” Arizona State vice president of media relations and strategic communications Katie Paquet told The Athletic in a statement. “In accordance with NCAA bylaws, the university cannot provide further comment at this time.”
In March 2020, the NCAA stopped in-person recruiting due to the pandemic, a dead period that lasted 15 months, until the NCAA allowed Division I sports to resume regular in-person recruiting June 1.
The Sun Devils, who went 2-2 during the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, are expected to contend for the Pac-12 South title this season, along with fellow top contenders USC and Utah. ESPN FPI’s preseason power rankings have Arizona State at No. 31 nationally — five spots behind the Trojans — and projected to win nine games in 2021.