The University of North Carolina announced that 13 football players will miss games this season after the school self-reported a secondary violation to the NCAA. The players sold team-issued UNC Retro Air Jordan 3 sneakers in January.
>> Download The Action Network App to get real-time college football odds.
Because many of the suspended players occupy the same position, the NCAA will allow the team to stagger some of the suspensions, according to UNC's statement:
Carney will sit games against ECU, UCF, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, while Fox will sit against Miami, Syracuse, Virginia and Georgia Tech. All other suspensions will begin with the season opener at Cal on Sept. 1
That's significant because Carney, who led the team with 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2017, won't miss the opener against Cal.
Here's a list of the suspended players:
- Brian Anderson (OL): Four games
- Malik Carney (DE): Four games
- Beau Corrales (WR): Four games
- Tomon Fox (DE): Four games
- Tyrone Hopper (DE): Four games
- Quiron Johnson (OL): Four games
- Malik Robinson (LB): Four games
- Chazz Surratt (QB): Four games
- Jordan Tucker (OL): Four games
- Greg Ross (DB): Two games
- Tre Shaw (DB): Two games
- Jack Davidson (QB): One game
- Jonah Melton (OL): One game
Surratt is competing with Nathan Elliott for the starting quarterback spot. He started seven games last year, and will miss the first four in 2018 — at California, at East Carolina, vs. UCF and vs. Pittsburgh.
With so many players facing suspensions, sportsbooks have taken lines for North Carolina's Week 1 game against California off the board. Before the suspension news broke, Cal was listed as a 6-point favorite and garnering 83% of betting action at the time.
Suspended players will still be allowed to practice, attend meetings and participate in strength and conditioning training.
