UPDATED: Georgia LB Jarvis Jones cleared to play by NCAA
ATHENS – Georgia not only got good news from the NCAA regarding the eligibility of Jarvis Jones, it got it fast.
Jones, a sophomore linebacker from Columbus, was determined to have not violated any NCAA rules and therefore will be eligible to play every game for the Bulldogs this season, UGA confirmed on Tuesday. Georgia received the news from the NCAA on Monday night, exactly one week after filing the report on its internal investigation with the SEC.
“I think the NCAA is making a concerted effort to turn things around as quickly as possible,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We’ve been hearing in these various meetings they were going to try to do a better job of that. So we’re just thankful NCAA was able to do that in this case. Whether the decision was up or down, we’re able to move forward now. At the end of the day that’s all schools want.”
Last year the Bulldogs had to wait until the second week of the regular season to learn from the NCAA that wide receiver A.J. Green would have to sit out four games for violating NCAA rules. UGA held Green out of the first game on its own.
“I appreciate the work of our compliance office for its time and effort in providing a thorough, comprehensive report and I’m thankful for the timely manner in which the NCAA reviewed and evaluated all the facts to reach a decision,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in the statement. “We’re ready to move on with preparations for our season opener.”
Richt was not made available to reporters on Tuesday.
The NCAA’s decision is significant for Georgia as it prepares to open the season against a pair of highly-ranked opponents. The Bulldogs open against No. 7 Boise State on Sept. 3 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and follow that with a home tilt against No. 12 South Carolina in Athens.
Jones, a sophomore linebacker from Columbus, is slated to start at strongside linebacker for Georgia. He was having his eligibility reviewed after a police investigation into alleged corruption within the Columbus parks and recreation department revealed an administrator had provided benefits to him and basketball signee Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the summer of 2009.
Jones’ relationship with that administrator, Tony Adams, was the center of UGA’s investigation. Adams reportedly paid for four flights for Jones to and from Los Angeles in the summer of 2009 as well as some other benefits. At the time Jones was a freshman signee at Southern Cal.
In its investigation, Georgia was able establish that Jones’ legal guardian, Shelley Stephens — who also worked for the rec department and flew with him to LA — had been in a long-term relationship with Adams.
“Based on the information that we reviewed, it was interpreted that it met the four-pronged test of an established relationship,” UGA compliance director Eric Baumgartner said.
The main criteria for meeting the stipulations of NCAA Bylaw 12.1.2.1.6 (preferential treatment, benefits and services) is that a relationship was established before a prospects ninth-grade year.
McGarity said Georgia has not yet completed its investigation of Caldwell-Pope. The five-star shooting guard from Greenville allegedly was using a cell phone that was paid for by Adams.
“We’re still processing that case,” McGarity said. “Jarvis’ situation was a little more urgent.”
Jones transferred to Georgia from USC — where he played in eight games as a true freshman — last summer and sat out per NCAA transfer rules. He’s a former AJC Super 11 player who was rated among the top linebackers in the nation.
Jones has not been available for comment but Tuesday night he addressed the news on his Facebook page. (Edited) “The right support, great mentors, friends/fans. I’m so grateful for everyone that’s in my corner. I put my trust in a higher power and not in man. No stressing, just hard work and dedication. Stand up Bulldog Nation, we have business to tend to. — #29″
Georgia launched an internal investigation earlier this summer and turned over its findings to the SEC office on Aug. 2. UGA declined the AJC’s open records requests under the Freedom of Information Act to view that report under the claim that the document was protected by a federal law protecting the privacy of students. The AJC disputed that claim.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
305 comments Add your comment
Time for a change!
August 9th, 2011
12:37 pm
Bout time one of these things went the Dawgs way!! They didn’t have a choice in this matter especially with “The Cammy Rule” still in affect!!
Big Earl
August 9th, 2011
12:40 pm
@Altamaha…touche on your 1st comment…and don’t call me Shirley!
Josh Smith for 3
August 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
Very good news for UGA. I could have sworn the NCAA would wait until mid-September to finally clear Jones of the allegations.
Georgia now has one of the most athletic LB groups in the SEC. Should be fun to watch.
I-DOG
August 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
Skating:
That is all you have to bash UGA with this Summer? A guy peed in the bushes and another got a plane ticket paid for while on a recruiting trip to ANOTHER UNIVERSITY which he signed with?
That is it?
Troll Power Ratings
August 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
@moleman: It is awesome to have a positive diversion and entertainment. It’s what separates Georgia fans on GEORGIA blog topics from the miserable trolls who are envious, bitter, resentful and ashamed to even mention “their” team – like YOU, for instance.
Boise in ATL
August 9th, 2011
12:42 pm
Dawgs on Fire – I understand your enthusiam – however, UGA will not be shutting down Boise St. Boise will score some points – I assure you that.
The questions are:
1. How much can UGA’s defense slow Boise down.
2. Will UGA’s offense have enough continuity so early in the season to be effective?
UGA has a lot of areas to improve and address.
I think UGA will be much inproved this year – but will need some games to develop the continuity on offense. Look for UGA to develop into a monster by mid-end season.
Opening up with UGA is in Boise’s favor – with what we are returning.
Should be a great game – but being a homer – I think Boise will find a way to win.
moleman
August 9th, 2011
12:43 pm
i wish UGA could play Green Bay this season. with the columbus connection and the dream team, we would be favored in vegas by what, 20-25 points? GATA!!!
Boise in ATL
August 9th, 2011
12:44 pm
Josh for 3 – I think Alabama’s LB’s are the best in the SEC. Georgia’a does look good on paper – let’s see how they play during the season – by end of the year – you may be correct. but for now, they have not played a game yet.
My uncles
August 9th, 2011
12:50 pm
I had two uncles and a Grandpa on Mom’s side of the family that bought me burgers at the old Dwarf House in Hapeville, and the Waffle House in East Point, back in my day of the mid to late 1960s. They were GT men and wanted me to go to GT. They loved Bobby Dudd.
I went to UGA and loved it. Did i play ball? Nope but using this rules, GT should have been on probation for what my family did for me and they openly tried to get me at GT.
When a family member buys things for you, unless they can PROVE a direct link to a school like with Pastor Scam Newton, they have no bidnezz getting into stuff like this Jones thing.
Gooooooooooooooo Dogs.
moleman
August 9th, 2011
12:51 pm
@TrollPowerRatings; glad you came back. not here to discuss my team; this forum’s title on top of the page is “UGA Sports”. thats what i’m here to discuss. GATA!!!
ToccoaDawg
August 9th, 2011
12:51 pm
Boise is it true papa smurf filed a law suit against Boise for cutting down the blue forest to make that blue field?
Davsag8r
August 9th, 2011
12:57 pm
UF 31
UGA 17
Troup Co. Dawg
August 9th, 2011
12:57 pm
@ Boise in ATL It took your QB 4 years to get this good, Aaron Murray is breaking records as a freshman..(MY God…a Freshman)don’t be surprised if he throws at least two tds and runs for one. And you can count on a couple more rushing tds. Oh yea! can’t forget that All-Star kicking team will put up at least another 6 points. That’s realistic! Hope your team can put up at least 36 points! Welcome back to The SEC! See you in ATL!
Troll Power Ratings
August 9th, 2011
1:01 pm
@Boise in ATL: It is refreshing to be able to discuss a game in a civil manner with a member of an opposing fan base. You identify your allegiance, avoid personal attacks and add constructive points about BOTH teams. TROLLS, please make note.
TKDAWG55
August 9th, 2011
1:01 pm
YES THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT TO GET STARTED AT BAMA! SEEMS TRENT,MARK AND JULIO WERE SIGNING JERSEYS AND PICS AND SO WAS BOBBY WILLIAMS A COACH AT BAMA. HE WAS TAKING THEM OUT TO EAT AS WELL. HE PUT THE PICS ON HIS FACEBOOK OF ALL PLACES AND A REPORTER FROM B’HAM DISCOVERED THEM. THIS GUY IS ALSO A BIG TIME BOOSTER AT BAMA! THE BAD THING IS BAMA IS STILL ON PROBATION UNTIL 2012! NOW SHUT UP BAMA BILL! YOU NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR TRAP! HAVE A NICE DAY!!
moleman
August 9th, 2011
1:01 pm
Troup, they’ll get their 36. you’re record-breaking QB hasn’t beaten any team with a winning record. GATA!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 9th, 2011
1:04 pm
Shocking
The ghestopo better known as the NCAA took a few weeks to make a decision.
I was expecting a decade or so on this one
Barker
August 9th, 2011
1:05 pm
Why does the 3-4 defense take two seasons to implement?
Is it worth losing a season for?
No more 6-7 campaigns.
ARdawg
August 9th, 2011
1:05 pm
Troll Power
You are correct about Boise in ATL however, the other trolls can not physically possess such ability. Especially, the Bug trolls. They have no action on the GT blogs so they choose to troll here
GEORGIA97
August 9th, 2011
1:06 pm
Kill, Jarvis, kill.
moleman
August 9th, 2011
1:10 pm
@ARdawg: what kind of physical ability (besides typing) does one need to post on blogs? remember 1980! GATA silver britches!!! how funny is that!
Tampa Gator
August 9th, 2011
1:13 pm
Good for Jarvis Jones. I hope he doesn’t get bit by a vampire any time soon.
Tampa Gator
August 9th, 2011
1:16 pm
News Flash:
Red Panties replaced by Gator Vampire Teeth in Jax. “Red and Black” spilled all over the stadium.
TECK GRAD
August 9th, 2011
1:18 pm
The NCAA hates us! We will never be as good as Georgia.
Tampa Gator
August 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
Now….back to our regular program……”Dreamland in the Georgia summer heat”…..the rerun.
Troup Co. Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
Moleman…Please tell me who Boise has beaten in the last 10 years…How about last year! You get a win against Va Tech…woohoo! Seems to me that the only reason Boise St. gets props is because of ESPN and all the great media writers…you get your shot in 3 weeks! Bring it son…get ready for a good ole Jawga @$$ whippin!
[NCAA News] UGA LB Jarvis Jones Cleared By NCAA - GridironFans.com
August 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
[...] [...]
Whiskey Breath
August 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
Ga has bigger problems on defense besides getting someone elgible. The fact that you guys were counting on a USC reject says a lot in how desparate Ga is. Do you think if he was any good he would have left USC?
georgiagirl
August 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
Hey Nikoli Volkov the only trash on here is you. back off Columbus,Ga. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
August 9th, 2011
1:27 pm
Actually I think the case against Pope is weaker. At least In the particular Jones case, an actual NCAA institution could have been remotely connected. What connection does a paid phone bill for a relative have with an NCAA institution, or recruiting in general? Why is that even their concern?
It seems to me that they would have to determine that either A) it was used AS a benefit on behalf of some member institution, or B) the guy who paid it did so specifically to gain influence TO steer Pope to some member institution. Acting as an “agent”.
I suppose amateur status could be at issue if the boy used his athletic standing to gain benefit for himself(mother), but that seems like a tough thing to prove.
Destin Dawg
August 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Todd Grantham’s Junkyard Dawgs are BBBAAACCCCKKK !!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
Would someone pass me some kool-aid
I was bitten by an Energy Vampire, I feel woozy
Big Earl
August 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
@Whiskey Breath…put down the bottle for a second and maybe you’ll learn something:
Jones had a neck injury that cut short his freshman season at USC.
He played in the first eight games of his true freshman (Yes I said FRESHMAN!) season with the Trojans and was being talked about as USC’s next great linebacker. He finished with 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Jones, then a freshman linebacker, sprained his neck in the Trojans’ eighth game and had to sit out the rest of the year.
After USC docs would not clear Jones for spring practice, he sought a second and third opinion and was told he should be able to continue his career but the Trojans still relented. He finally asked for and was granted a release from USC.
Jones was medically cleared by UGA doctors. He will have three years of eligibility remaining starting in 2011.
Jones was a 2008 AJC Super 11 selection who signed with USC in February of 2009 after a rigorous recruiting battle between Georgia, Florida, LSU and Texas. These are some pretty decent teams recruiting what you call a “USC reject”.
OK Whiskey, you can jump back in that bottle now. And as Fred Sanford would say, “You big dummy!!!!”
Stinger2
August 9th, 2011
1:34 pm
The euphoria that has UGA fans raving about how good their
team will be is typical of these people. It is also amusing to me as a GT fan. Maybe UGA should go ahead and declare their team as SEC East champion now.
AceDawg
August 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Sounds like great news.
Sept is nearly here
August 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Oh yea – just perfect – a player is suddenly cleared just as real practices are underway. Wonder how much CMR and the Boys paid them off. As far as the comments like ” spells TROUBLE for all opposing teams on the Dawgs schedule this year” – yea – with UGAs powder puff schedule this year and catching traditionally good teams in rebuilding mold (ie. FL, Auburn, UT) it ought to be NOTHING LESS than a 10 win season for the doggies. Don’t want to hear ANY whining about the schedule this year.
gt4ever
August 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
Sounds good Stinger2… The typical UGA fan, always a champion in their delusional minds…. NEVER a champion where it counts!
moleman
August 9th, 2011
1:42 pm
@Troup: in the last 10 years Boise has beaten Oklahoma, Oregon atleast twice home and away (the same Oregon UGA begged out of playing; LSU manned up to save the conference the embarrassment of another UGA big-game choke job) and they beat Hawaii; you remember them. the Sugar Bowl opponent for UGA after the 08 season (what a joke, but necessary for the SEC after the UGA/West Virginia disaster in UGA’s last BCS bowl) Boise has won enough big games to be respected nationally. UGA loses to Central Florida. GATA!!! sic’em dawgs! hahahaha!!! typing that just cracks me up; the silliness of UGA tradition! gotta be fun!
"Get on da Bus"
August 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
That new slogan is gonna come back and bite UGA in the rear end like an energy vampire.
gdawginkalamazoo
August 9th, 2011
1:45 pm
stinger2 & gt4ever, and you guys let them take away our 2009 ACC championship. We won that one ON THE FIELD.
AltamahaDawg
August 9th, 2011
1:45 pm
Nothing like watching 2 tech fans patting each other on the back in a Bulldog blog.
BG
August 9th, 2011
1:45 pm
Hell yeah!! Great news for UGA and Jarvis!
BG
August 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
Moleman go suck on something!
tater salad
August 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
dawgs will be running to the bus when they get another beatdown by the GGGGGGAAAAATTTTTORRRRRRRRSSSS
AltamahaDawg
August 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
They can take away that worthless ACC ring, but please God don’t let em touch our BeatGeorgia once a decade ring!
Grantham's 3-4 D
August 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
Look for this D to explode in game 1 and shut down Boise St.’s overrated offense. Grantham has talent all over the field. This game could get ugly early when the Dawgs force a few early turnovers.
UGA Alumnus
August 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
That is some good news! Glad the NCAA acted quickly on this. Good job!
Tech '10
August 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
@Name Police 10:56 a.m. – HAHA. My personal favorites are oragejello and lemonjello. Real names, I kid you not.
moleman
August 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
@BigEarl:just because all the big schools wanted jones doesn’t mean he’ll be a big-time player. see jasper sanks for details. and two years from now, substitute crowell for sanks as the example used. HOBNAIL BOOT!!!GATA!!!
CHDawg
August 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
Sept,
We start with #7, and next is #12. Now, who is your team, so we can compare the schedules? I thought so, you won’t say…