CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -North Carolina tailback Shaun Draughn is glad to be back with his team after missing a game amid an NCAA investigation, though he won’t say exactly why he was held out.
Draughn was one of 13 players to miss the opening loss to LSU as the NCAA reviews agent-related benefits and possible academic violations involving a tutor. He was allowed to return early last week and played sparingly behind Johnny White in last weekend’s loss to Georgia Tech, though he refused to say it was unfair he missed a game only to be cleared later.
“That’s just something I would rather not talk about,” Draughn said before Wednesday’s practice.
The rest of that group has missed both games for the Tar Heels (0-2) and is in doubt for this weekend’s trip to Rutgers. The list includes NFL prospects Marvin Austin, Robert Quinn, Deunta Williams and Kendric Burney on defense, as well as top receiver Greg Little and tailback Ryan Houston.
Draughn attended the opener in Atlanta and said “it was a hard thing to watch.”
“I can speak for myself and how I felt,” Draughn said. “I was ready for the situation to be over with.”
Draughn said he worked with the unidentified tutor and that “everybody probably worked with her,” but he refused to say if he had to do anything in particular or pay back any money pertaining to improper benefits before being cleared.
As for his teammates still out, Draughn offered simple advice.
“Keep praying and hold on,” Draughn said. “That’s all I did. That’s all I tell them.”
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