UNC Loses Three Potential Top Picks

Top-rated defensive lineman Marvin Austin has been kicked off of North Carolina’s football team today. Austin, who has been at the center of an NCAA probe for months, was clearly booted because the university’s athletics department is in full damage control mode. Highly touted receiver Greg Little and defensive end Robert Quinn have also both been declared “permanently ineligible” by the NCAA. Quinn, who is currently listed at No. 2 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board, projects as a top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. All three players (but especially Austin) have been the focus of a major NCAA investigation into whether or not they received improper benefits from agents. Austin issued a statement apologizing to the NCAA and UNC, claiming that he had “let you all down and I am truly sorry.” While it’s nice to think that he might be really sorry for his actions, this is once again just damage control. By trying to show contrition Austin is hop...