Losing Al-Quadin Muhammad (8) and Jermaine Grace is a major blow to Miami’s defense. Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Hurricanes dismissed two of their best defensive players from the team on Saturday for violating NCAA rules.
Redshirt junior defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad and senior linebacker Jermaine Grace were permanently dismissed, the school announced.
Muhammad and Grace missed parts of the Hurricanes’ practice on Thursday as part of an NCAA investigation.
“The University of Miami announced today that redshirt junior Al-Quadin Muhammad and senior Jermaine Grace have been permanently dismissed from the Hurricanes football program for violating NCAA rules,” the school said in a statement. “The University will, however, continue their financial aid through graduation. The decision was made in consultation with outside counsel and after discussions with the NCAA enforcement staff. As no staff members or boosters were involved in the violations, the program will not be subject to sanctions and, at this time, the University deems this matter closed.”
According to the Miami Herald, the case involved a luxury car-rental company called South Beach Exotic Rentals. The university’s investigation focused on whether players received heavily discounted luxury cars in exchange for some future stake in their careers.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Muhammad led the Hurricanes in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (five) last season. The 6-1, 210-pound Grace led the team in tackles with 79, and also had two sacks and six tackles for loss.
Muhammad was suspended for the 2014 season for an off-campus altercation when he punched a student in the face. He was suspended for last year’s season opener for a violation of team rules.
–Two Western Michigan freshman football players have been suspended after being arrested following an alleged armed robbery.
School officials said Saturday that linebacker Ron George, 18, and wide receiver Bryson White, 20, were suspended after being arrested off the Kalamazoo campus, according to MLive.com
A Western Michigan University police officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of a reported incident and arrested George and White late Friday night.
The 6-0, 204-pound George is from Pittsburgh and one of the prized recruits from the 2016 class. The 5-9, 168-pound White is from Mason, Ohio.
–Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk reinjured his Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the 2016 season.
Sirk, a redshirt senior, aggravated the left Achilles tendon injury he suffered during offseason conditioning work in February, a source close to Duke program confirmed the News & Observer on Friday.
Sirk also missed all of the 2013 season after tearing the right Achilles.
Sirk passed for 2,625 yards and 16 touchdowns and added a team-best 803 yards rushing and eight scores last season when he led the Blue Devils to an 8-5 record.
