Report: Former Texas A&M LB alleges possible violations

Texas A&M says it is reviewing allegations of possible NCAA violations by football coaches made by a former player who transferred to Arizona.

Santino Marchiol, a linebacker who signed with the Aggies in 2017 when Kevin Sumlin was coach, told USA Today that Aggies assistant Bradley Dale Peveto gave him cash on two occasions to entertain recruits on unofficial visits to campus. Schools are allowed to pay expenses for recruits on official visits and NCAA rules allow student hosts to be paid $40 per day to entertain recruits.

Marchiol also claimed in Tuesday’s story new A&M coach Jimbo Fisher’s staff possibly violated NCAA rules by running mandatory team activities at impermissible times.

“Texas A&M Athletics takes these allegations seriously, and we are reviewing the situation with the NCAA and the SEC Office,” the school said in a statement.

Marchiol, a former fourstar recruit from Colorado who played at IMG Academy in Florida, left Texas A&M in June and rejoined Sumlin, now coaching Arizona. Marchiol is currently enrolled at Arizona and has been practicing with the team. NCAA rules require him to sit out this season, but Arizona is requesting a waiver from the NCAA to allow Marchiol, who redshirted last season, to play immediately.

USA Today reported Marchiol’s claims of possible NCAA violations were part of a statement he provided to Arizona compliance officials to be used in the waiver request. Marchiol also told USA Today that coaches and trainers at Texas A&M pushed him to practice on an injured ankle and that, too, was included in his waiver request.